Tom is becoming more active than ever in Scientology

as learning to race cars or fly planes. But as Cruise became a leading outspoken advocate for Scientology, some of the religion’s views have sparked controversy.

Scientologists believe each human has lived many past lives and are millions of years old.

They reject psychiatry and psychiatric drugs, believing they interfere with the rational mind.

In 2004 Cruise faced a backlash when he argued against the use of psychiatric drugs for conditions like postnatal depression.

But his unwavering loyalty to the church saw him in 2008 receive a Freedom Medal of Valor award, the organisation’s highest honour. In 2016, he said the church is “something that has helped me incredibly in my life.

“I’ve been a Scientologist for over 30 years.

“Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am. So it’s a beautiful religion. I’m incredibly proud.”

Scientologists are reportedly bussed out to see Cruise movies, often many times, and buy thousands of tickets.

But while it may have boosted his box office, Scientology is also believed to have caused deep rifts in his life – mainly with Kidman and third wife Katie Holmes, 41.

Cruise and Kidman have never publicly discussed their 2001 split after 11 years of marriage. But there has long been speculation that Cruise’s faith played a key role. Kidman never became a Scientologist.

This supposedly made her what is known in Scientology as a “suppressive person” or SP. Rumours circulated that the organisation worked to estrange Kidman from their kids Isabella and Connor. They were raised as Scientologists and lived with their dad after the divorce and remain devoted to the organisation. Holmes and Cruise divorced in 2012 after six years. During their bitter break-up Cruise admitted his involvement in the church was a factor. He has not been seen with their 14-year-old daughter Suri for years and Holmes never speaks about him in interviews. Being a devoted follower is likely to have cost Cruise, worth an estimated £460million, a lot of money. One exscientologist said individuals could spend more than £400,000 reaching the upper tiers of the church.

Devotees are expected to take regular courses, which rise in cost from £530 for a beginner class to thousands for a series of classes. Some sessions cost £650 per hour. Actress and exmember Leah Remini said: “There is no other religion that I know of that requires two and a half hours of your day, a quarter of a million dollars minimum and at least 40 years of your life.”

The Church of Scientology has wealth estimated at £1.4billion. Other star followers include Elisabeth Moss, 37, and John Travolta, 66.

Cruise and Travolta are said to have had bunkers made for them at the Scientology base in California in case there is a pandemic.

Critics say there are between 25,000 and 55,000 active Scientologists in the US but the church’s website claims growth of more than 4.4 million followers each year.

In the UK, a 2011 census revealed there are more Jedi Knights, 176,632, than Scientologists, 2,418.