Hugh Grant gave his family "worms" after undercooking a chicken.

The 'Heretic' actor joked he recently "started cooking for the first time" in his life, and he "can't stop barbecuing" as he embraces his newfound passion.

Speaking to 'Bridget Jones' co-star Renee Zellweger for British Vogue magazine, he said: "I can't stop barbecuing. Can't stop buying barbecue equipment. And now that it's winter, I've moved indoors and I can't stop buying Le Creuset."

However, when Renee insisted "it's beautiful stuff", the 64-year-old star admitted things haven't entirely gone to plan.

He deadpanned: "I've poisoned my family twice, given them worms."

He explained: "Undercooked chicken. Twice. It was dark, you see. It was on the barbecue and I stuck my Heston Blumenthal prod into it.

"I couldn't quite read it. So I served it out - worms all round. And the children now beg me not to cook."

Renee asked how he didn't realise, but he quickly moved the conversation on.

Hugh recently became emotional as he discussed the joy he gets from parenting his five children - son John Mungo, 12, and daughters Lulu, eight, and Blue, six, who he has with wife Anna Eberstein as well as daughter Tabitha Xiao Xi, 13, and son Felix Chang Hong, 11, from his relationship with former partner Tinglan Hong - even though it can be chaotic at times.

Asked if he was a "jungle gym dad", Hugh told 'The Kelly Clarkson Show': "Oh I love a bit of that.

"I mean there's a lot to dread because I'm old and it's noisy and it's unbearable and I do a lot of hiding in the loo."

The Hollywood star became teary as he continued: "I mean, I'm going home tonight and, let's face it, the bit where they jump in your arms - my six-year-old calls it her 'chimpanzee hug'. I quite like that."

Hugh added: "I've made myself cry."