GEORGE CLOONEY - BACK PROBLEM FORCES CLOONEY TO CUT BACK ON HIS BOOZING

GEORGE CLOONEY has been forced to cut back on his alcohol intake after suffering a spinal injury a year ago (05) - because he's still having regular blood transfusions.

The actor was left in agony when a stunt in his movie SYRIANA backfired, leaving the actor with spinal fluid dripping out of his nose.

He underwent months of agonizing spinal cap surgery and wore a neck brace to a couple of Hollywood functions - and he's still not completely recovered.

He explains, "They take blood out of my arm and inject it into my spine. It's a slow, ongoing process, but it's getting better.

"You can't drink when you do it. You have to wait a couple of weeks. That's cruel, man, that's not cool for an Irishman."