HEATH LEDGER - LEDGER BULKS UP FOR ROLE

Hollywood heart-throb HEATH LEDGER is finding his latest role as a gay cowboy to be his most challenging - because he's been ordered to work out for the part.

The Australian star has appeared in a number of physically demanding roles - but has been told to work on his physique for the first time in his career for the upcoming BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN.

The 24-year-old says, "Oddly enough, it's the one job that I've been asked to build on and kind of work out.

"You'd think you would kind of build up and work out to play a superhero or something, but it ends up being for a gay cowboy story."

A KNIGHTS TALE Ledger was encouraged to take the role opposite JAKE GYLLENHALL in the ANG LEE movie by girlfriend NAOMI WATTS.