Robert Pattinson has revealed how a gassy elephant unleashed a terrifying fart in Reese Witherspoon’s face on the set of their new movie.

The pair worked with Tai the elephant on forthcoming film Water For Elephants, and appearing on Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Pattinson told how his co-star managed not to flinch as the animal cut the cheese in a big way right in her face.

‘She had to do some tricks and ended up rolling underneath the elephant that went back on her hind legs and did the most incredible fart directly in Reese’s face for a good 45 seconds,’ he recalled. ‘It shows Reese’s absolute commitment to the job. She just stood there and took it!’

However, despite her windy ways, Pattinson formed a bond with the playful pachyderm, and even let her carry him around in her mouth.

‘The first time I met Tai the elephant I got in her mouth,’ he explained. ‘I just felt like it was a good place to be and she carried me around. They are incredibly gentle. They have huge lips at the front and their teeth are at the back. They just put enough pressure down to hold you in.

‘They are incredible animals. I kind of want to be an elephant.’