Bloom or bust?

Five years ago, 26-year-old Orlando Bloom, then 21, was lying in a hospital bed mulling over the grim news that he would probably never walk again. He'd fallen three storeys from a friend's London flat following some youthful shenanigans on a drainpipe which promptly gave way. Twelve days later, defying all perceived medical wisdom, he hobbled out of the hospital on crutches. A year later, he left London's Guildhall Drama School and won the role of blond-locked elf, Legolas, in

Next week, The Return Of The King, the final part of the trilogy, opens and Bloom is, perhaps, the hottest rising male star on the planet, compared to every idol from Errol Flynn to James Dean, earning a rumoured $5 million per picture, dating Blue Crush actress Kate Bosworth and hanging out with Colin Farrell.

No wonder Bloom seems shell-shocked. Tall and slender, this androgynous-looking boy from Canterbury shifts about in his oversized hotel chair - his back still pains him, but you won't catch him complaining about it. Nor about the fame the Rings have bestowed. As he says, 'Well, I can't, can I? With Legolas's blond wig I was pretty much covered. People didn't recognise me.' Then came Pirates Of The Caribbean. Based on a Disney theme park ride and starring Johnny Depp, Pirates turned into the biggest film of the summer. And featured Bloom, au naturel, as the romantic lead. 'I get recognised from that all the time,' he says, unsure whether to laugh or grimace. The expression he finally adopts is somewhere in-between.

He adopts it again talking about his childhood. It is only recently that Bloom began telling the world about how he grew up thinking that Harry Bloom, the famous South African anti-apartheid campaigner, was his father. Bloom Sr died when Orlando was four and, at age 13, he found out that his real father was, in fact, Colin Stone, a close family friend and, as fate would have it, his legal guardian. Bloom refuses to go into details, but does say, 'I was lucky, I had two dads. I was four when Harry died, so what do you remember when you are four? My mother has always spoken highly of him. He's been a role model for me in my head.'

His bohemian background meant he was encouraged in his earliest acting ambitions. He joined the National Youth Theatre at 16. There were bit parts on TV in London's Burning and Casualty and a small role in the film Wilde - as a rent boy. His LOTR audition came soon afterwards. 'It was good luck,' he says. And he's trying to hold on to it.

His designer garb is complemented by a clutch of superstitious tsotchkes dangling around his neck. 'I've always been into having stuff hanging off me,' he laughs. 'But now they're my good luck charms and they're increasing because I need more of them. Daily I need more luck just to cope with what's going on. But then I think "I chose this path, I wanted to be in movies, and I love it".'

Which is just as well. The second wave of celebrity approaches. After The Return Of The King, he has the British indie film, The Calcium Kid, out in February, and then there's next summer's would-be blockbuster, Troy, with Bloom playing Paris to Brad Pitt's Achilles. After that he'll be tested with carrying Kingdom Of Heaven, Ridley Scott's Crusades epic.

Today, though, Bloom appears relaxed, if tired. He sips water and seems older than his years. 'Your twenties are tricky anyway, but I'm figuring out stuff in the public eye as well. I can see why people in my sort of position have freak-outs. It is just that when you're in the public eye, you can't really afford to do that.'

He says the best advice he has received came from Johnny Depp. 'Johnny said, "Look, this isn't open-heart surgery. We're just making movies. Enjoy it and don't worry about making mistakes. But learn to keep certain things private".'

Like his relationship with Bosworth? He nods. 'It's not like Kate and I haven't been photographed together already, but I don't want to put any more pressure on us than I need to.' Which seems a bit disingenuous after the kiss-and-tell story in last Sunday's papers.

Bloom looks awkward. 'Is that OK?' he says. To compensate, he offers a less personal titbit about 're-rooting' back in London. 'London is where my mates are and I know I need those people around to keep my head straight. Of course, as of right now, I've spent one night at my new place. But I can't wait to be at home, cooking a good meal and chilling out.'