Cruise meets fans

The actor was booed when he interrupted his walkabout after two hours to enter the cinema and introduce the film.

But Cruise - who became a father a week ago - returned shortly afterwards, chatting to fans, talking on their mobile phones and signing autographs.

He also thrilled a woman marking her 80th birthday with a kiss on the cheek.

Whisked from crowd

Dorothy Milton had been carrying two balloons emblazened with the number 80.

She was then whisked from the crowd and led up the red carpet to be interviewed by television crews about her encounter with the star.

Dorothy Milton received a birthday kiss on the cheek from Cruise

Originally, Cruise had not been scheduled to attend the premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square because he wanted to spend time with his fiancee, Katie Holmes, and new daughter Suri.

He later changed his mind, saying Holmes persuaded him to continue his European promotional tour, which had started with a premiere in Rome on Monday.

The London screening is being followed by the film's French debut in Paris on Wednesday.

Cruise's 'beautiful' daughter

Cruise was joined on the red carpet by British co-star Simon Pegg, American actress Michelle Monaghan and the movie's director JJ Abrams.

Abrams - who created the hit television series Lost - was cheered by fans, who asked him for the secrets behind some of the programme's mysterious storylines. He would give nothing away, however.

Cruise chatted to fans' friends and relatives on their mobile phones

Cruise's daughter was born in Los Angeles on 18 April.

Asked if he was missing her, the actor replied: "How can you not? She's beautiful."

He also said he had spoken to Holmes "about a billion times" in recent days.