HOLLYWOOD superstar Russell Crowe flew into a village near York - for a two-hour chat with the grandparents of his bride-to-be.

The pensioners were introduced to the Gladiator hunk at their home in Nether Poppleton, because they are unable to travel to Australia for the star's wedding to their granddaughter, Australian singer-songwriter Danielle Spencer.

The Evening Press can exclusively reveal that Crowe flew from Milan with Danielle to Paris, before they chartered a helicopter to Rufforth Airfield.

He was then picked up by Danielle's uncle and driven from Rufforth to the grandparents' home.

The star stayed with the family for two hours before jetting off again.

Danielle's uncle, who wishes the family to remain anonymous for fear of international media intrusion, said Crowe was the "nicest, most generous man you could ever wish meet".

"The general public don't know what he is really like," he said.

"His trip to Poppleton had been planned for some time. My parents knew it was going to happen. I picked him up in my car from Rufforth airfield and he was here for about two hours."

Rumours of the star's visit have been sweeping through Poppleton.

One villager said: "It's unbelievable. I'd like to buy him a pint - I love the Gladiator film."

Updated: 10:56 Tuesday, March 04, 2003