Liam Neeson and ex Helen Mirren 'determined to show mutual respect' during 'awkward' encounter

Amid the many public and messy Hollywood breakups over the years, Liam Neeson and ex girlfriend Helen Mirren have maintained that they are still deeply fond of each other, and even showed their respect for one another when they appeared on the same talk show.

Neeson dated Academy Award-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren for around four years , out of the spotlight. The pair dated and lived together in the early 1980s, as both of their careers were on the rise. Though their flame eventually went out, the two have nothing but love and admiration for each other, all these years later - which has been proven by an expert.

Body language expert Judi James examined a clip from the Graham Norton Show , where the host inquired about their past relationship.

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James told Irishstar.com: “No sparks flying here although both Liam and Helen look determined to show signals of mutual respect and friendship. The space between them on the sofa is wide and widens as they talk although Liam does at one point put his arm out in a gesture that suggests he’s more comfortable than her with the meeting.”

James continued, examining the Dame’s slightly awkward demeanor, and said: “Helen shows a couple of signs of awkwardness or discomfort here and by the end of the clip she is sitting forward in her seat with both her arms folded round her torso in a gesture of what looks more like polite rejection, looking over her shoulder to listen to Liam rather than turning to face him.”

Click here if you can't see the clip below

While James acknowledges their connection, she doesn’t feel that there is any romance leftover from their former relationship. Fans of both actors have been gunning for a reunion in recent years. Neeson has not had a public relationship since the death of his wife Natasha Richardson in 2009.

James added that their connection may be easily missed, as neither parties are outwardly affectionate.

“Most celebrities are very tactile with each other on shows like this,” she said, “even celebs who hardly know each other, whereas this behaviour is down the other end of the closeness scale.”

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