Nicole sparkles on the red carpet

Nicole Kidman at The Golden Compass premiere

NICOLE KIDMAN SPARKLED at last night's premiere of The Golden Compass with her husband Keith Urban in tow - the first time the couple have stepped out on the red carpet together.

Kidman wore a cream halterneck dress while her husband stood back and let her take the limelight. He told The Sun: 'This is our first premiere together. I just wanted to come and support her and it's amazing.'

The £90million blockbuster is based on Northern Lights, the first book in Philip Pullman?s bestselling His Dark Materials trilogy.

Kidman defended her evil character, Mrs Coulter, and praised Pullman for creating 'such a complex villain'. She said: 'It was fun to play her. It's rare that I get to bring such a dominant female to the screen.'

Meanwhile, there was speculation that Craig had popped the question after his girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell was spotted wearing a ring on her engagement finger on the red carpet.

The film has proved controversial in the US because of the book's perceived anti-religion themes. But Craig, who hit the big time with his portrayal of James Bond, said the controversy had been 'blown out of proportion'.

He said: 'I've been a fan of the books since they were written. Philip Pullman is a genius.'

Dakota Blue Richards, 13, who was picked from 10,000 schoolgirls to play the film's heroine Lyra Belacqua, joined the stars on the red carpet for her first premiere. Craig praised her performance, saying she is an 'amazing' actress.