Robert Downey Jr Robert Downey Jr Robert Downey Jr has taken the term "hot pants" to a whole new level.

How? Well, he's only gone and set his crotch on fire.

Seriously.

Rob, who plays Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's latest movie, was smoking the character's famous pipe in a scene when ash fell into his lap and set his trousers alight.

A witness said: "Robert leaped from his armchair and jumped up and down, slapping his crotch and howling, 'Oh God, I'm on fire!'"Jude Law Jude Law

Poor old Robbers had popped the pipe on a plate on the arm of the chair but it overbalanced and landed in his lap, scattering lit tobacco everywhere.

Luckily for him there was a flame-thwarting hero at hand - in the form of co-star Jude Law.

While Robert was busy swatting his pants, quick-thinking Jude saved the day by flinging water from a flower vase at Rob's roasting chestnuts.

We're pleased to reveal that the Downey Jr's family jewels were unscathed in the incident, but it did bring a halt to production while the wardrobe department looked for a replacement pair of trews.