Sylvester Stallone meets real-life Iraq war hero Johnson Beharry at The Expendables premiere

By Georgina Littlejohn
Last updated at 4:53 PM on 10th August 2010

He's played some of cinema's greatest heroes from boxer Rocky to war veteran Rambo to comic book law enforcer Judge Dredd.

But last night, Sylvester Stallone came face-to-face with a real-life hero - Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry.

The actor was delighted to meet L/Cpl Beharry who received the Victoria Cross for his bravery in Iraq in 2005.

The pair were snapped together at the British premiere of Stallone's new film, The Expendables in London last night, which was supporting the military charity The ForceSelect Foundation.

L/Cpl Beharry, 31, couldn't keep the grin off his face as she stood and posed for pictures in his military regalia next to Stallone, 64.

In 2005, L/Cpl Beharry of the 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, was awarded the coveted Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valour in the British and Commonwealth armed forces.

He was given the medal for twice saving members of his unit from ambushes on May 1 and again on June 11 2004 at Al-Amarah, Iraq and sustained serious head injuries in the latter engagement.

He is the youngest and one of only seven living recipients of the Victoria Cross.

L/Cpl Beharry was one of many members of the armed forces attending the premiere last night.

He also took time out to pose with British General Sir Mike Jackson on the red carpet outside.

Stallone was joined by his co-stars Dolph Lundgren, 52, and Jason Statham, 37, at the premiere of the movie which is released across the UK on August 19.

They also met members of the 2nd Battalion Princess Of Wales Royal Regiment at Wellington Barracks before the premiere

And the three of them posed with British military officers in uniform on the red carpet as Stallone marched around a group of guards in bearskin hats and tried to jump up to match their height.

The plot of the film centres on a group of ex-SAS soldiers who battle an evil drugs baron.

Stallone said: 'Every generation has to have a hero and this generation has the superhero, it's evolved. But after Avatar it's like, 'Stop, let's go back to basics'.

'Young men need good examples, role models. I know I do, and I hope I might be one of the influences on young guys.'