The 45-year-old beauty has remained "best friends" with the actor - whom she dated for 13 years until 2000 - and though they quarrel all the time, she loves nothing more than spending time with her former boyfriend.

She said: "Hugh and I met in 1987 on the set on a movie in Madrid and have been best friend ever since. I completely consider him one of my family and love spending time with him, even though we annoy each other at times.

"We rarely get through a day without fighting, but we always end up laughing."

The pair are so close the 50-year-old star is even godfather to Elizabeth`s son Damian and has a close relationship to the nine-year-old boy.

The actress said: "Damian adores his godfather and Hugh is great with him."

And although Elizabeth - who is in the process of divorcing husband Arun Nayar - thinks the idea of her ever being romantically involved with the `Notting Hill` star again is "preposterous" she imagines they could end up living like a married couple.

She said: "It makes us laugh as the idea is sort of preposterous. We`ve often said though, if all else fails, we`ll end up living together again."
sections: Celebrities