Jack Reacher World Premiere In London

Tom Cruiseand Jack Reacher in London last night.

Nicole Scherzingerand her boyfriend Lewis Hamilton braved chilly weather to walk the red carpet at the Odeon Leicester Square, along with actors Tom Hardy and Bill Nighy, sailor Ben Ainslie and boxer David Haye.

Co-stars David Oyelowo and Robert Duvall and director Christopher McQuarrie were also there - along with author Lee Child.

And Hollywood star Cruise has again defended his casting as the movie's eponymous hero.

British thriller writer Child's character is 6ft 5in in his books, whereas Cruise is listed as 5ft 7in according to website IMDB.

Speaking to Reuters TV, the 50-year-old star claimed he and the author had agreed that the character's height was just a "characteristic" rather than essential to the story.

He said: "You know, he created the character, I had my own opinion that I didn't say to Lee and then he came back and pretty much reflected what I had felt about it.

"But had he said 'look I'd rather not', I would not have played the character."