Fans have been left with their jaws on the floor after spotting Top Gun legend Tom Cruise in the North East today.

The Hollywood star was spotted at Teesside Airport at around 11.30am today in front of a crowd of astounded fans.

According to a source, Cruise was "very friendly" and had waved and smiled at onlookers as he made his way across the tarmac.

But why was Tom Cruise spotted at Teesside Airport today?

It is currently understood that Cruise is back in the North East to film scenes for the next Mission Impossible, which is set to release on July 7, 2023.

However, it is thought he is only in the North East to use the airport in order to transit his way across to a filming location potentially in Cumbria.

The Northern Echo: Tom Cruise spotted getting off the aircraft at Teesside Airport Picture: CONTRIBUTORTom Cruise spotted getting off the aircraft at Teesside Airport Picture: CONTRIBUTOR (Image: Tom Cruise spotted getting off the aircraft at Teesside Airport Picture: CONTRIBUTOR)

Last month, the A-lister was spotted filming in the Lake District, shocking fans and visitors in Buttermere as he paraglided over the fells.

Meanwhile, Cruise hit the headlines only this week after showing off his daredevil skills and performing a stunt in South Africa.

Read more: Top Gun Maverick's Tom Cruise lands at Teesside Airport leaving fans gobsmacked

He was filmed on top of a small WW2 biplane while in mid-air as it flew over the Blyde River Canyon in South Africa.

According to reports, the 60-year-old had been taking lessons in preparation for scenes for the next Mission Impossible.

The Northern Echo: Tom Cruise at Teesside Airport today Picture: NORTHERN ECHOTom Cruise at Teesside Airport today Picture: NORTHERN ECHO (Image: Tom Cruise at Teesside Airport today Picture: NORTHERN ECHO)

In a video, he could be heard saying: “Hi everyone, wish I could be there with you, I'm sorry for all of the extra noise.

"As you can see I'm filming the latest installment of Mission: Impossible.

"Right now we're over gorgeous Blyde River Canyon in stunning South Africa and we're making this film for the big screen for audiences to see in local theatres."

Cruise also hit the headlines worldwide, taking the globe by storm as he reprised as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick.

In the North East, cinemas were packed to the rafters with fans eager to catch a glimpse of Cruise in the return of the 1986 franchise.

At the time, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made an appearance at the UK premiere of the highly anticipated sequel.

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