Phoenix's bizarre wrestling challenge

Hollywood heart-throb Joaquin Phoenix got more than he bargained for when he appeared on an American chat show - a wrestling challenge from his female interviewer.

The actor appeared on daytime chat show Live with Regis and Kelly to promote his new movie Ladder 49, when bubbly host Kelly Ripa began boasting about beating him in a thumb- wrestling match when he visited the set two years ago.

She then presented him with a new challenge - a leg wrestle.

As Phoenix looked on in bemusement, Ripa laid flat on her back on the studio floor, and asked him to get down and join her.

After he reluctantly complied, Ripa demonstrated the game, and flipped the actor over with her leg in the process.

When Ripa asked if he was ready to play after the demonstration, he shot back: "I thought we just did it for real! Time out… I'm holding on… I'm totally scared."