With the eyes of the football world on his birthplace - Germany - Bruce Willis must have jumped at an opportunity to share in the World Cup atmosphere currently galvanising the country. The Hollywood hardman, who spent the first two years of his life at the US military base of Idar-Oberstein, where his father was stationed, was in the city of Cologne to promote Over The Hedge.
Bruce's 18-year-old daughter Rumer was his companion at the screening of the animated movie about a family of racoons. The Die Hard actor said his kids had given the flick "six thumbs up", adding that the movie provided a light-hearted change from his usual action adventures.
Earlier in the day the star viewed the 19th-century Kolner Dom cathedral. The second tallest Gothic structure in the world, it took more than 600 years to complete.
Cologne lies on the river Rhine, a favourite summer destination. During England's match against Sweden its banks played host to 60,000 fans who travelled from the UK to cheer on Becks and his team.
Open and chatty, the city's inhabitants enjoy a reputation for being the country's most "Mediterranean" people. And Cologne, which is one of Germany's most cosmopolitan centres, offers a thriving nightlife, including plenty of opportunities to sample the local Kolsch brew. Waiters will keep serving measures of the beer in small glasses - equal to a fifth of a pint - until an active effort is made to stop them.
In February work virtually ceases for a week as locals throw themselves into the riotous mayhem of Carnival. During the celebrations the streets become one big open-air celebration as hundreds of thousands of revellers brave low temperatures to make merry in fancy dress.
Photo: Rex
Photo: Rex
