HE is known for playing action heroes who are prepared to take on the world, but Bruce Willis now wants to take on the role in real life.

The Die Hard and Armageddon star, who famously refused to fly after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre, has told troops in Iraq he would like to be given ''four seconds'' with Saddam Hussein once he is caught.

He has also offered $1m to the man who captures the former Iraqi leader.

The film hard man made his comments while entertaining US soldiers with a rock concert at a desert airfield in Telafar, Iraq, 36 miles from the Syrian border.

Hundreds of soldiers, some sitting atop helicopters, others lounging in Humvees, sent cheers and whistles into the night air as Willis and his band, the Accelerator, belted out rock 'n' roll and the blues. Most soldiers admitted they did not know Willis was a singer.

Colonel Michael Linnington, commander of the brigade's Rakkasan 187th Infantry Regiment, said: ''It's awesome. It's great for morale. He's my favourite actor and my age. He's a macho actor. Soldiers identify with action movies and action actors. He's a guy's guy.''

''We're here to support you,'' Willis told the soldiers. ''If you catch him, just give me four seconds with Saddam Hussein.''

Willis defended the war whose initial aims are being increasingly questioned by the American public. He is due to fly to Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit to visit soldiers there, before performing for US troops in Kuwait.