OSCAR-WINNER Russell Crowe flew thousands of miles to give his first acting class to a group of students earlier today.

He fulfilled a long-standing promise to his friend Bill Bryson, the author and chancellor of Durham University.

When Crowe heard Bryson was leaving his post this year and decided if he was to carry out his vow to teach Durham students, it had to be soon.

The 47-year-old flew from Los Angeles to the UK to take the session which had been agreed over a Chinese meal in London's Dorchester hotel around five years ago.

Crowe led a session with members of Durham Student Theatre at St Chad's College, in the shadow of the city's majestic Norman cathedral.

Afterwards, Crowe, who won an Oscar in 2001 for the film Gladiator, admitted he had been ''really nervous''.

He said: ''I've never done this before, I called back on the things people said to me as a young actor.

''We started off with a few games and went into a long session of interpretation.

''It was enjoyable, really nice.''

* Read the full story in The Northern Echo tomorrow.