Tom Cruise meets fans at the European premiere of 'Rock of Ages', PIC: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Tom Cruise has insisted learning to sing for musical Rock of Ages was just like working out for an action movie - just using a different set of muscles.

The Mission: Impossible star attended the premiere of the new film, directed by Hairspray’s Adam Shankman, in London’s Leicester Square, where fans flocked to meet him on the sparkling carpet shaped like a giant electric guitar.

Speaking at the European premiére of the film at the Odeon in Leicester Square, Cruise said: “I applied the principles of how I learn anything. I started with the vocal coach and he just taught me the same way that preparing for a stunt, I work with the stunt team.

“I’m just learning how to move air through the body, ‘cause really that’s what singing is - developing those muscles.

“So I learned technically how to sing and then I really had to find that rock voice.”

The Top Gun star plays rock singer Stacee Jaxx in the film, based on the stage musical, alongside Russell Brand, Mary J Blige and Paul Giamatti, who also attended the premiere.