The actress declares new Bridget Jones statue is “sweet”, adding, “She’s cuter than me.”

Renée Zellweger has praised the freshly installed statue of Bridget Jones as “endearing”, adding, “Personally, it’s much cuter than me.”

The actress was commenting as the new statue celebrating the character she played for more than 20 years was uncovered in the iconic London square on Monday.

Bridget Jones was created in the mid-1990s by author Helen Fielding, and initially brought for the big screen in 2001. The newest movie debuted in recent months.

Speaking at the unveiling, Fielding refused to rule out taking her story further, remarking you should “avoid closing doors.”

Zellweger noted that people everywhere can relate to Bridget, which accounts for her massive popularity.

“It’s her sensitivity, her humanness,” she said. “We identify in her, we recognise ourselves in her struggles.

“It gives permission for the others to be truly who we are. Real.”

The persona of Bridget Jones resonated deeply with many women’s hearts, who felt understood in her personal journey.

From her embarrassing work mishaps, to her infamous granny pants, Bridget resonated with a age group who found a mirror in her—and has recently won over a new generation of new admirers too.

The latest movie in the franchise, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was debuted in February, and depicts Bridget portrayed as a single mother and facing modern dating.

It earned varied critiques, but recorded the highest theatrical launch ever for a rom-com in the British Isles, according to reports.

The film was described as the last installment in the franchise—but reflecting at the statue unveiling, two dedicated followers, Faye and Wayne, said they were convinced there would be a sequel.

“There are so many things that were open-ended at the conclusion of the latest installment,” said Faye.

“Bridget keeps changing. I want to be with Bridget Jones all the way to the retirement home,” remarked Wayne.

When asked about the chance of a future story in Bridget Jones’ story, Fielding said: “Anything is possible. Ideas arrive as a writer. So if a narrative appeared that I thought was true and interesting and fresh then I would develop it.”

Certain critics think the floundering and imperfect protagonist, who’s preoccupied by her appearance and relationship status, is not the best role model.

And Fielding herself has previously admitted that elements of the series seem less relevant today.

“Bridget Jones’s Diary would not be created now, placed in modern times, because all those male coworkers would be sacked,” she said last year. “That was a distinct period.”

But reflecting on the unveiling day, she said she hoped the wider message of the novel would still resonate for fans.

“Personally, to have the solace of watching a figure that you can identify with, because they are real and human and open, it’s like having the confidante you can be real with,” she said.

The statue is the inaugural to celebrate a rom com on Leicester Square’s movie trail walk.

The Scenes in the Square exhibition first debuted in 2020 with the addition of several statues featuring Laurel and Hardy, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman.

After that, statues of the wizard hero, the royal chair from Game of Thrones, the beloved dog and the adventurer have been included.