Christian Bale 'Changed By Fame'

Actor CHRISTIAN BALE's fiery temper was triggered by the pressures of fame, his former assistant has claimed.

The Dark Knight star, 34, was arrested earlier this week (ends25Jul08) over claims he assaulted his mother and sister on the eve of The Dark Knight premiere in London.

And ex-employee Harrison Cheung blames Bale's early start in Hollywood for his temper.

He says, "When he filmed a movie called Metroland (1997), his nickname was Tandy because he was always throwing tantrums.

"He would yell until he was red in the face. It was very intimidating.

"Fame started to change Christian. He went from earning GBP100,000 ($200,000) a movie to earning millions."

Cheung believes Bale, who also played a convincing American Psycho in the chilling movie adaptation of Brett Easton Ellis' novel, is not that far removed from his Batman character.

He explains, "People say Christian is a great Batman because he brings a darkness to the role. But I know the real Christian and I know the darkness is not an act."

Cheung also claims Bale never really wanted a career in Hollywood and was forced into acting by his father, Davd.

The former assistant insists the Batman Begins star was insecure and lacked confidence.

He adds, "He'd never trained as an actor and told me there were demons inside him saying, 'You can't do this. You're not good enough.'

"He thought about quitting many times. Then he'd say, 'But who would support my family?'