Stars Bloom and Knightley posed together for photographers

They turned up to promote Pirates of the Caribbean, although its other stars, Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush, did not make the trip.

The swashbuckling comedy adventure is currently number one in the US film chart after taking an estimated $46.4m (�27.8m) over the weekend.

Fans in London's Leicester Square chanted the name of Bloom, whose new A-list status was cemented by the public's reception.

The Lord of the Rings heart-throb kept running back to the crowds to sign autographs even after being pulled away to pose for photographers or speak to the media.

The film is released in the UK on 8 August

When the film was given its world premi�re at Disneyland, California, in June, organisers claimed to have created the longest red carpet in the world.

There was no red carpet this time - but the balcony of the Odeon cinema had been turned into a pirate ship.

Bend It Like Beckham actress Knightley was also among the popular names there.

UK actors Mackenzie Crook, best known as Gareth in sitcom The Office, and Jack Davenport, from TV hits This Life and Coupling, also had roles in the film and were at the screening.

Ocean rivals

Guests were told that the dress code was "pirate cool".

Based on a ride at Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is about rivals of the high seas, played by Depp and Rush, who fight over Knightley, who plays a governor's daughter.

It is directed by Gore Verbinski, who previously made The Ring and The Mexican.

Disneyland closed early for the first time when the world premi�re took place.