Phoenix leaps on heckler at gig

Joaquin Phoenix has been dragged away by security guards at a gig in Miami after leaping into the audience to confront a heckler.

The 34-year-old, who recently announced that he was quitting acting to pursue a career in music, was interrupted by the man as he performed a short set at the Fontainebleu Miami Beach hotel last night.

"We have a f*****g bitch in the audience. I've got $1 million in the bank. What have you got bitch?" he said, before leaping at the heckler.

As the crowd began chanting "Joaquin" and "beat him up, beat him up", security guards were forced to intervene, dragging the star away from the audience and ending his performance.

Hundreds of fans had packed the hotel's LIV club especially to see the star perform. He reportedly arrived on stage four hours late, smoking a cigarette and wearing his trademark sunglasses.

This latest incident in Phoenix's transition from actor to rapper has again fuelled speculation that his new career is an elaborate hoax, despite the star repeatedly insisting that he is serious.

Last month, he stunned television viewers with his bizarre behaviour on The Late Show With David Letterman, while critics and fans panned his debut gig in Las Vegas in January.