GEORGE CLOONEY - BRAVE GEORGE STEPS OUT IN STYLE AT PREMIERE

GEORGE CLOONEY braved a painful backache, which has prevented him from attending press interviews to promote his new movie OCEAN'S TWELVE, to attend the premiere of the film in Hollywood last night (08DEC04).

The movie star, who aggravated a ruptured disc in his back while making upcoming film SYRIANA, turned up to the premiere with his mother and on/off girlfriend LISA SNOWDON by his side.

Clooney insisted he was fine and initial reports of surgery and lengthy bed rest were exaggerated.

From the red carpet, he explained, "I'm not going to need surgery."

After the glitzy premiere, Clooney and his castmates jetted off to Rome, Italy, to kickstart a string of worldwide premieres for the film.