X-MEN - WOLVERINE IS A BIG SOFTIE

X-MEN star HUGH JACKMAN may have a hard image on screen - but in reality he's a home-loving family man.

Jackman, who also plays WOLVERINE in the upcoming X-Men sequel X2, treasures his domestic life and marriage to fellow Australian actress DEBORRA-LEE FURNESS.

He says, "She brings anyone down to earth. Being around her is definitely the best thing in my life. And I certainly wasn't that way with all my other girlfriends, and I apologise to them in print.

"And my son, you know, I don't want to sound too sensitive, New Age guy, but I got lucky. There's a big doll of me and when you move its arms, it says, 'I'll slice you in half!' and Oscar's always giving it really big hugs.

"My son's heading for therapy."