HEATH LEDGER - LEDGER: GET RID OF THE QUEEN

Australian movie hunk HEATH LEDGER has courted controversy by calling for his native country to ditch British sovereignty.

The star, who is awaiting the release of his new movie about infamous Aussie outlaw NED KELLY, believes QUEEN ELIZABETH II should be ousted as Australia's Head of State, even though a poll of the country four years ago (99) found Ledger is in the minority.

He says, "I think the monarchy is wrong, we don't need the Queen on our coins. But I don't understand what we will gain from being independent - other than our dignity."