Marc Anthony

Marc Anthony

Jennifer Lopez' ex-husband is "good friends" with her current partner, Casper Smart.

Singer Marc Anthony - who split from Jennifer in July 2011 after seven years of marriage - says he has liked Casper, 26, from the first time he met him.

Marc joked of his 44-year-old ex: "I like them young, too! I'm not one to judge."

Speaking more seriously, he then added: "It's great. As a matter of fact, we were texting back and forth two days ago. We're actually really, really good friends. From the very beginning."

The star - who has five-year-old twins Max and Emme with Jennifer - also said he still cares for his ex-wife a great deal, and has "respect" for Casper.

Speaking on 'The Wendy Williams Show', he added: "When you love someone and you care for someone ... Jennifer and I - I don't say it lightly - we're great friends. You know, anybody that means anything to her means something to me. That's keeping it simple. Casper's a great guy. He's been great to my children. And I have nothing but respect for him, absolutely nothing but respect."

Marc, 45, recently split from his girlfriend of a year, Chloe Green, but admits he hopes to one day wed again.

He said: "I do [want to get married]. I believe in relationships. I believe that God has blessed me in so many ways. Material things to but so far. Success goes but so far. But when your house is empty and you don't have someone to invest in, if you don't have a witness, it's almost worthless."