HOLLYWOOD star Russell Crowe fulfilled a long-standing promise to a friend yesterday as he paid a visit to the historic splendour of Durham.

The oscar-winning actor stood in the shadows of the city’s Norman cathedral after making good on his word to pass on drama tips to students at the university.

The star of Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind, promised outgoing university chancellor Bill Bryson, he would make the trip more than five years ago as the friends shared a Chinese meal and “several” glasses of wine in a London restaurant.

Crowe was given a rapturous reception by students as he gave members of Durham University’s flourishing drama society the benefit of hid talent, in the picturesque surroundings of St Chad’s College.

The 47-year-old New Zealand born Australian actor said: “It was quite a few years ago now, my second son had just been born and he’s now five.

“Bill had just been appointed chancellor of Durham University and I told him I would pay a visit. At the time I thought he would remain Chancellor until he was 105. But quite recently I read somewhere that he was leaving the position. I thought I had better get back in touch to keep my promise.”

Crowe said he had originally intended to visit Durham in September. He said: “I was expecting to be filming in Rome then so I thought I could combine the two. Then the director said there had been a change of plan and the filming was taking place nowhere near Europe.