Bruce Willis receives French honour

Actor Bruce Willis has been awarded the Commander of the Arts in France.

The medal was presented by Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti at a ceremony in Paris honouring the star's contribution to film over 33 years.

Willis said: "It is a real honour to be here... and to get this very high honour for the commanders".

His latest film A Good Day To Die Hard, the fifth in the Die Hard series, is released in cinemas in several parts of Europe and the US on 14 February.

The son of a soldier, Willis was born in Europe, in Germany, before moving to New Jersey, and said he has an affinity with France.

Bruce Willis pictured with his second-wife Emma Heming-Willis, with whom he has a daughter

"I always feel at home when I'm in Paris and in France. I feel very comfortable here and always look forward to coming back."

The action hero said he thought his sense of humour was the key to the success of his tough guy characters.

He said: "I like the idea that it would possibly be that I don't take myself very seriously, that the characters I play always try as hard as they can to think that they're in charge.

"But in truth, women are in charge. Women should be in charge of everything."

Willis, 57, was joined by his model and actress wife Emma Heming-Willis for the ceremony.

Previous recipients of the Commander of the Arts prize include Sir Michael Caine, David Bowie, Marianne Faithfull and Clint Eastwood.