Butler Fights to Retain Scottish Roots

2 weeks ago 07th Nov 04:23

Actor Gerard Butler is so desperate to remain true to his Scottish roots he suffered a panic attack the first time he used the word "soccer".

The 300 star has been living in the U.S. while he concentrates on building his Hollywood career.

He admits he's noticed more American words creeping into his vocabulary, and fears his countrymen will never forgive him if he loses his native accent.

Butler says, "To see anybody being influenced by another culture is a fate worse than death - especially to speak in an American accent. "I was doing an interview about a year and a half ago in London and I said the word 'soccer' instead of 'football' and for the rest of the interview I could hardly breathe. My face was so red. Whenever I think of it Istart to panic".

I was doing an interview about a year and a half ago in London and I said the word 'soccer' instead of 'football' and for the rest of the interview I could hardly breatheGerard Butler

The star even compares himself to Scottish singer Sheena Easton, who was pelted with bottles at a gig in Glasgow in 1990 after offending the audiences with her American brogue. Butler adds, "When Sheena Easton left Glasgow she talked with a really strong (Scottish) accent.

Then she spent a couple of years in the U.S. and she was suddenly talking like an American.

In Scotland, we were like, 'B**ch, how dare she! Burn her at the stake!' Now I have become that guy".

The Scottish actor is planning seven days of cross-continent birthday celebrations when he turns 40 next week (13Nov09).

The 300 star will reach the landmark age on Friday and he's delighted his schedule has landed him in Britain on the big day.

Butler admits he's planning a string of parties, with celebrations in London, Scotland, New York and Los Angeles.

He says, "On my birthday itself I am going to have a party in London, which is great because I don't get to spend a lot of time there any more. The next day I am going up to Glasgow, where I am having a shared birthday party with my 11-year-old niece. I am going to have a family party there and then, when I make it back to New York, I will do something there. I might even have something in L.A. as well."