Cameron Diaz convinced Robbie Williams to reconcile with Ayda Field when they split after just a few weeks of dating.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz

The pair had a blissful few weeks together before Robbie abruptly ended the relationship in order to go to rehab, but after his treatment he bumped into Cameron and explained he was miserable without Ayda so the star told him to get back in touch.

Ayda, 37, explained to YOU magazine: "He went to rehab. I was devastated. But at the same time I understood because I could see he needed help. I already loved him. I loved him enough just to want him to be well. I thought that was it: right man, wrong time. Over.

"I knew it was the right thing [for him to do] but it's very hard.

"A few years later I saw Cameron working out in a gym. I thought about going to say 'Thank you' but she was sweating over a machine and I thought it would seem strange - but it's thanks to her we're back together."

Rehab wasn't the only blip in their relationship as their first date did not go well, when Robbie, 42, initially forgot to show up.

The pair had been set up on a blind date by a mutual friend but Robbie forgot all about the date and when they finally met up, after Robbie invited Ayda to his house, things were extremely awkward at first.

Ayda said: "I'd been at a party when I went. We spent a very awkward hour together, then he said he'd take me back to the party. He wasn't going to stay but he did. And then we started to talk and as corny as it sounds something just happened. There was an electricity between us."

And Robbie admitted he wasn't very impressed when he first met the actress.

He said: "She was wearing a dress with a big pouch pocket at the front. I thought she was chubby and a bit crazy. At the party we started to talk and I thought: 'She's chubby but I really love this woman.' Then everyone got into a Jacuzzi, and she went off and reappeared like a Bond girl in a bikini. All I was thinking was: "Thank you, God."'

Robbie and Ayda married in 2010 and have children Teddy, who will turn four later this month, and Charlie, 23 months.