Unlikely duo - Richie joins Jackman at film premiere

Shane Richie and Hugh Jackman were an unlikely double act at the premiere of new film Flushed Away.

The former EastEnders favourite and the Hollywood heart-throb co-star in the animated movie.

• Gallery: Premiere of Flushed Away

Richie plays a London sewer rat who swaps places with a snooty mouse, played by X-Men star Jackman.

It also features Kate Winslet, Sir Ian McKellen and Bill Nighy.

Richie, who quit his role as Albert Square's loveable landlord Alfie Moon a year ago, is now firm friends with Jackman but admitted he was overawed to join the A list Hollywood cast.

"It was a real honour to be asked - just seeing my name on the poster is brilliant," he said.

Recalling the film's US premiere last week, he joked: "In America I'm the only one I haven't heard of. The crowds went mad for all the others and I was standing there just waving at myself."

Richie, 42, attended the premiere in London's Leicester Square with fiancee Christie Goddard and their seven-month-old son Mackenzie.

He has not ruled out a return to Albert Square, saying: "I'd like to think I'd go back one day but at the moment I'm really busy."

The film is a co-production between the DreamWorks studio and Aardman, creators of Wallace and Gromit.

Jackman, 38, said he loved making the movie. "As a huge Aardman fan, being part of this was a blast," he said.

"It's great because I've got a little boy so finally he can see a movie I'm in."

Guests at the UK premiere included the X Factor contestants, Aardman's Nick Park and Gail Porter with daughter Honey.

The premiere was held in aid of the charity Practical Action, which raises money for children in the world's poorest communities.