Stallone knocked out by Lundgren

Sylvester Stallone has revealed he almost died during a fight scene in Rocky IV - when he instructed fighting partner Dolph Lundgren to beat him up.

The movie star felt sure he could dodge the towering Scandinavian actor's punches in the ring, but had no idea how fast and powerful his co-star was.

Stallone recalls: "I go to Dolph Lundgren and I said, 'Here's what you do. I know we choreographed this but forget it. I want you to come out for the first 30 seconds, trying to take me out.'

"The next thing I know I was in intensive care with a tube in my nose and nuns walking round the bed, going 'Can we get you something?' It was worth it."