Channing Tatum's new found respect for troops

Hollywood star Channing Tatum has been speaking of his respect for the servicemen and women around the world.

The G.I. Joe actor stepped out in London on Tuesday night to promote his new film Dear John, the story of a soldier who can only communicate with his lover through letters when he is posted to Afghanistan.

"I met so many soldiers who are over there and they have to go months and months without their loved ones and they're under a lot of stress and in dangerous situations," Tatum said.

He added: "It's insane what they do, and I respect it so much."

The 29-year-old was joined on the red carpet in Kensington by his co-star, Mamma Mia actress Amanda Seyfried who revealed the film is a real tearjearker.

"Listen, if you don't cry, especially at the time he's in hospital, there's something wrong with you," she said.

Dear John knocked Avatar of top spot in the US Box Office exceeding expectations for what is a relatively low budget film.

The movie is adapted from a novel by acclaimed best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, the man behind The Notebook. Dear John is released in the UK on Wednesday, 14 April.