Elizabeth Hurley says Hugh Grant is her "best friend".

Elizabeth Hurley

Elizabeth Hurley

The pair dated for 13 years before they split in May 2000 and the 51-year-old actress explained that they have managed to maintain a close friendship despite ending their romantic relationship.

She told Entertainment Tonight: "We are best friends. We look out for each other."

Elizabeth also insisted that sexiness comes from confidence and she doesn't have a secret for staying in shape.

She said: "[Sexiness comes from] their point of view and how they present themselves.

"I don't think there is any secret, really, is there? We all know, it's not going to bed too late, not drinking too much alcohol, eating lots of vegetables, all those sorts of things."

Meanwhile, Elizabeth's former fiancé Shane Warne previously admitted he found it hard to compete with Hugh, 56, when he was dating the 'Royals' star.

The 47-year-old retired cricketer split from Elizabeth in 2013 after a three-year relationship and he said her close friendship with her ex was difficult to deal with.

Shane said: "It's hard on your new relationship when you're really good friends with the exes.

"Elizabeth was really good friends with Hugh, who is like her best friend. When I used to go back to Australia, if she wasn't leaving London, he'd come and spend the weekend at the house.

"I went, 'I tell you what. Tell him to come when I'm there'. [I told her] 'well, I knew Hugh before I knew you, so just tell him to come over'. But she said, 'Oh no, he feels uncomfortable.'"