Pitt checks into hospital

Brad Pitt has been hospitalised in Los Angeles with a severe bout of influenza.

The movie hunk checked himself into an undisclosed hospital on Monday night after feeling unwell following an appearance at a motorcycle speedway event in California at the weekend.

Insiders claim Pitt picked up the illness on his travels - he has just returned from a whistle-stop trip to England and Africa, where he joined pal Angelina Jolie as she adopted an Ethiopian baby.

The actor is expected to make a full recovery.