Liam Neeson opens up about Natasha, relationships, and gremlins in his phone

Liam is a proud father to Micheál, 19, and 18-year-old Daniel, who he had with late wife Natasha Richardson.

The 62-year-old actor divides his time between his Manhattan apartment and an estate in upstate New York's Millbrook, which is close to where Natasha is buried.

The actress died in March 2009 following a freak skiing accident.

He became a US citizen after her tragic death.

Neeson was romantically involved with a British publicist, Freya St Johnston, but confirmed earlier this year that the relationship has dwindled.

“I’m keeping myself to myself. And I like it that way. I’m not hunting. I’m the opposite of a – what would a male cougar be? Is there such a thing? Whatever it is, I’m not that," he has said.

When he feels like company, he can count on people such as "close friend" and fellow yoga fan Ralph Fiennes, but there's no wild nights out, as they prefer to get our for hikes instead.

And then there is fellow Irishman Bono, with whom Neeson is developing a film.

We chat, or with him a lot of the time I just listen. He’s a wonderful man. He’s got an idea for a script which we’ve been working on for the past six years,” he says, going on to outline the story, which is inspired by the Irish showband phenomenon of the Seventies.

A character actor often seen playing villains or tough guys, he admits he does have fears of his own despite his strong persona.

“I do have a fear of heights but my son and I recently climbed this little peak called Mollie’s Nipple in Utah. It’s only 3,000ft or something but I was shit-scared, especially getting nearer the summit. It wasn’t pickaxe time but it was pretty steep. Everybody says don’t look down but you have to look down. It was scary but I’m glad I did it. I did it for my son,” he said.

Aside from heights, what else gives him the shivers?

Surprisingly, technology.

“It terrifies me,” told The Independent, holding up his older model Apple iPhone.

“I’m fine with this but every month [my sons] are telling me to change to the latest version, and [I say], ‘Oh shut up.’ But now it’s playing up and I know they’ve put some gremlin in there, saying: ‘Oh, he’s had that phone for two years. It’s time.’ I swear, that’s what they do.”

His sons have the knack of it though.

Stretching out his own thumbs to do an impression of them speedily texting away, Liam shared his awe at how the teenagers are experts on their mobiles.

“They are not afraid of anything. They pick up the technology off the ether. And these digits here," he commented, acting out the motion. “If you have children, check their thumbs – they’re really flexible. And their kids... these thumbs will be like another finger."

Liam is very much a traditionalist in most aspects of life. His outlook is that things should be repaired before replaced.

“They just don’t fix things any more. It gives me cause for concern."