Winslet and Mendes confirmed they are together

Winslet, 26, has since begun a relationship with Sam Mendes, 35, director of the Oscar-winning film American Beauty.

Earlier this month, Winslet and Mendes attended the New York world premi�re of the actress's new film, Iris - an adaptation of John Bayley's book about his late wife, the novelist and philosopher Dame Iris Murdoch.

Winslet was quoted in the Daily Mail as saying at the party after the premi�re that she and the American Beauty director were "unbelievably happy".

"He's a good man. You can say I said that with a large smile on my face," she was quoted as saying.

And Mendes said a few weeks earlier that he had been "very careful to ensure that I was not endangering her marriage".

Iris tells the story of a 40-year love affair

He added: "Indeed, it was already over, and I came along well after.

"I am delighted to express my delight at being with Kate."

He said Winslet and Threapleton were having an "on-going, amicable discussion on how to bring up their daughter".

The couple, who celebrated the birth of their first child, Mia, last year, married in 1998.

At the time of their split, a spokesman for the actress stressed that no other parties were involved in the "amicable and respectful separation".

The separation followed reports of rows between the couple for several weeks.