Old flames George and Renee catch up at 'Leatherheads' premiere

Remaining on good terms with an ex can be a tricky business. It seems former couple [George Clooney] and [Renee Zellweger] have no such trouble, however. As the hunky actor scooped his former flame up into a big hug in Hollywood on Monday night, it was clear the pair are still close pals despite ending their brief romance in 2001.

March 31, 2008Mar 31, 2008, 11:00 PM GMT+1

Remaining on good terms with an ex can be a tricky business. It seems former couple George Clooney and Renee Zellweger have no such trouble, however. As the hunky actor scooped his former flame up into a big hug in Hollywood on Monday night, it was clear the pair are still close pals despite ending their brief romance in 2001.

The affectionate moment came as the duo took to the red carpet for the premiere of their new romantic comedy Leatherheads. Heart-throb George directed and starred in the Twenties-set flick and Renee - who plays a journalist trying to prove a college football star's ability on the pitch is too good to be true - has nothing but praise for her former beau's talents.

"I just get so proud that my head pops off!" reveals the Bridget Jones star. "George is such a confident director, and he has no idea. And he’s a nice person. It gets boring hearing that, but it’s true. Every once in a while you get the real good guy."

And George has been equally as quick to champion the actress' performance. "(It was) incredible acting on her part," he revealed, adding he finds it easy to work with Renee because "she’s my friend, so I can be really direct!".

Despite the presence of his beautiful ex the hunk only had eyes for one woman at the screening. His former cocktail waitress girlfriend Sarah Larson, who was on dazzling form in a simple black frock.

There may be a new man in 38-year-old Renee's life, too. She was spotted on a romantic dinner date with a mystery gentleman in New York last week.

The former couple, who have remained good friends since going their separate ways in 2001, shared an affectionate moment at the premiere of romantic comedy Leatherheads on Monday night Photo: © Getty Images

It's clear that while the romantic element to their relationship is in the past, the pair are still very fond of each other and big fans of each other's talent. "George is such a confident director, and he has no idea," says Renee. "And he’s a nice person. It gets boring hearing that, but it’s true!" Photo: © Getty Images

While the Bridget Jones actress has reportedly been dating a mystery gentleman, the hunky actor couldn't take his eyes off girlfriend Sarah Photo: © Getty Images

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