A couple who were extras in the latest Rocky film rubbed shoulders with the stars at its glitzy UK premiere.

Brian Abram and Tracey Whelan, who are in the audience for Rocky Balboa's last big-screen fight, met Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone once again at Vue Cinema in Leicester Square, London.

As well as seeing the film, Rocky Balboa, they also attended the after-show party, where guests included Stallone, former Doctor Who actress Billie Piper and boxer Amir Khan.

Miss Whelan, of Ellen Way, Great Notley, said: "The atmosphere was very exciting."

Mr Abram, of Edison Close, Braintree, who has been a Stallone fan for 25 years, even got to shake his hero's hand.

He and Miss Whelan jetted off to Las Vegas in December 2005 to film the fight scene after winning places through internet site beinamovie.com, where film fans register in the hope of getting a rare chance to be an extra in various movies.