Brand stays cool around Cruise

Russell Brand has revealed that he kept his cool around Tom Cruise.

The pair star together in Adam Shankman's Rock Of Ages, and the British comic acted unfazed around the Hollywood superstar, who he described as "kind and generous".

"I wanted to say, 'I saw you in Mission: Impossible 4 and it was brilliant'. But I knew I would sound like a t**, so I didn't bother. I just went, 'All right, mate?' and acted normal," he recalled.

"He's like a powerful force. Being around someone like that is very encouraging and interesting."

Russell kept the highest praise for his other co-star Alec Baldwin, as the pair share a kiss in one scene. Despite his previous close encounters with Dame Helen Mirren and Jonah Hill, the actor rates this as one of his favourites.

"Alec Baldwin has been one of the great kisses of my life. He's just beautiful to be around. I'd do anything with him," he said.

"Any scene that I'm in with him - a fight, cuddle scene or full nude erotica - I'm completely overjoyed to be in the man's company. And Alec was very happy to accommodate however I was improvising in the scene, and really encouraged me.

"He's charismatic, authoritative and playful; I liken him to a great British theatrical knight. Plus he's got endless anecdotes," he added.

:: Rock Of Ages is in cinemas now.