(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Gerard Butler has received a prestigious acting award in Italy.

The 41-year-old Scottish star was given the Ischia Film Festival Actor of the Year Award last night.

He was celebrated during the Casamicciola Gala Dinner and Award ceremony where Eli Roth, model Karolina Kurkova and director Kenny Ortega were also in attendance.

Gerard had also received the 2004 Best New Actor award in 2004 for his work on The Phantom of the Opera.

The dashing star has been making the most of his time in Italy and has been seen cruising on a luxury yacht with a mystery lady and having dinner with friends including Leonardo DiCaprio and rocker Sting.

Gerard has just completed filming on two movies set to be released this year Machine Gun Preacher and Movie 43.

He will also reprise his character in animated children's film How to Train Your Dragon which was nominated for two Oscars at this year's Academy Awards. (C) Cover Media