DiCaprio film hits London

Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio sent the crowds into a frenzy at the premiere of his new film in London.The Titanic actor spent 45 minutes in the freezing cold meeting the hundreds of fans who lined up to see him.He said: "It's pretty amazing for them to stand out there for ten minutes let alone hours but it's a warm welcome."DiCaprio and co-star Djimon Hounsou were in high spirits on the red carpet as they celebrated their Oscar nominations.Blood Diamond, set in Sierra Leone's diamond-fuelled civil war, bagged five Oscar nominations including Best Actor for DiCaprio's starring role and Best Supporting Actor for Hounsou.Wearing a dark pin-stripped suit, the actor said of the Oscar nominations: "We've kind of already celebrated. We've toasted each other and gave each other a group hug."Glamorous co-star Jennifer Connelly was also in attendance with her British husband, Da Vinci Code star Paul Bettany.The film touches on the exploitation of Africa by the diamond industry and DiCaprio, 32, plays a mercenary on the hunt for a rare pink gemstone in the thriller.But the film is not all about the bling. It has highlighted serious issues surrounding conflict gems and raised a debate in the US about celebrities endorsing the diamond trade.DiCaprio admitted that starring in the film was a rare opportunity for him.He said: "It's not something that comes out of the Hollywood system very often. I jumped at the opportunity."Shooting in Africa, being there, you can't help but be transformed on some level. When going there you see that the western world can make a difference."© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

ITN | January 24, 2007

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