Oscar-winning Hollywood star Russell Crowe will be talking drama with students in the north-east of England next week.

The Gladiator and Robin Hood star posted a message on his Twitter account on Saturday saying will be chatting to young actors at Durham University on Friday June 3.

And the New Zealand-born Aussie said he will also be showing members of the Durham Student Theatre (DST) a home movie.

Crowe tweeted: "On June 3rd I'll be at Durham University chatting with young actors in the morning and screening a home movie in the evening for DTS (sic) members."

The appointment is not a complete surprise as the actor is a friend of the university's chancellor, US author Bill Bryson.

Bryson is nearing the end of his tenure as chancellor and Crowe has said recently he had agreed to go to Durham to teach drama before his friend left.

The university has not widely publicised the star's visit but there is reference on its website to "An Evening With Russell Crowe" hosted by Bill Bryson at the Assembly Rooms Theatre.

The notice warns that the event is only open to members of DST who joined before last Wednesday and says that, although the tickets are free, they will be allocated by a random draw.