UK star Stephen Fry talks Russell Crowe, Rabbitohs collection

Film star Stephen Fry boasts a collection of South Sydney Rabbitohs merch in his house, despite never having watched a game.

UK film star Stephen Fry has revealed a surprise connection to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, despite never having watched the rugby league team play.

Speaking with the Fox’s Fifi, Fev and Nick breakfast show on Thursday, Mr Fry said legendary Aussie actor Russell Crowe had pushed Rabbitohs merch onto him and now his house was stuffed with the red and green colours of South Sydney.

“The sport I haven’t managed to follow, despite your very charming film star Russell Crowe sending me and anybody he’s ever met in the street as much merch from the (South Sydney) Rabbitohs,” he said.

“So I have got so many Rabbitohs objects in my house and I have yet to see them play.

“I don’t know how well they are doing. They are a Sydney side?”

The Melbourne FM hosts informed the British star the Rabbitohs had gone “pear-shaped”.

“Rather like Russell,” Mr Fry quipped to peals of laughter.

“No, I didn’t say that, by the way,” he then added.

British polymath Stephen Fry is touring Australia. Picture: SCA

Aussie Hollywood star Russell Crowe is a huge Rabbitohs fan. Picture: Scott Powick

“It’s weird how that came out of my mouth without me saying it.”

Fifi Box, Brendan Fevola and Nick Cody host the 101.9 The Fox Melbourne show and Mr Fry stopped by as part of his new Australian tour.

He will appear at the Perth Concert Hall on October 27, Adelaide Festival Theatre on October 30, the Brisbane Convention Centre on November 2, the Canberra Royal Theatre on November 4, Melbourne Plenary on November 6 and Sydney State Theatre on November 8.

Mr Fry has written a beloved set of memoirs, beginning with Moab is my Washpot, and starred in TV shows and films including Wilde, where he played Irish playwright Oscar Wilde, and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, in which he played the role of Mycroft Holmes, the brother of Sherlock.

Russell Crowe celebrates a try by South Sydney as he watches the NRL game between the Rabbitohs and the Roosters at Stadium Australia, Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Jonathan Ng

He is a popular figure in Australia and America and often labelled a “national treasure” in Britain.

But he has not yet been knighted, and hinted to the radio team why he might not have received a knighthood, a common signifier of accomplishment in the UK honours system.

“It would be indelicate of me to say,” he said, chuckling.

“Who knows? It may be because my past life has been one of that of a wicked, wicked monkey.

“Because I went to prison when I was young and (I’ve) written about various things I did wrong when I was a little older.

“No, I don’t think that’s the reason … no, it’s not polite to say.

“It may be that I’ve been offered and I said no, but I would never say if that was the case.”

Originally published as UK star Stephen Fry talks Russell Crowe, Rabbitohs collection