Bill Clinton gets standing ovation at Globes

Los Angeles - Former US president Bill Clinton brought Hollywood to its feet with a brief appearance at the Golden Globe awards.

Clinton, 66, a favorite of the US entertainment industry, got a standing ovation when he stepped out on stage at the Beverly Hilton ballroom to introduce close friend Steven Spielberg's historical epic Lincoln.

"A tough fight to push a bill through a bitterly divided House of Representatives - winning it required the president to make a lot of unsavory deals... I wouldn't know anything about that," he quipped.

'That was Hillary Clinton's husband'

Lincoln's struggle to end slavery was a reminder that "enduring progress is forged in a cauldron of both principle and compromise", said Clinton, who left the White House 12 years ago this month after two terms.

"In Lincoln we see a man more interesting than the legend and a far better guide for future presidents."

No sooner was Clinton off the stage, co-host Amy Poehler squealed: "Wow! What an exciting special guest! That was Hillary Clinton's husband."

* The 70th annual Golden Globe Awards will be televised on M-Net on Monday at 20:30