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The Oscar-winning actress has praised the new statue of Bridget Jones as “endearing”, explaining, “Personally, it’s much cuter than me.”

Zellweger was commenting as the new statue commemorating the character she portrayed for many years was presented in London’s Leicester Square on the start of the week.

Bridget Jones was introduced in 1996 by writer Helen Fielding, and first adapted for the movies in 2001. The latest installment was released earlier this year.

Commenting at the unveiling, Fielding left open continuing the series, remarking you should “never say never.”

The star explained that everyone can relate to Bridget, which accounts for her huge appeal.

“It’s her vulnerability, her authenticity,” she said. “We recognise ourselves in her, we connect in her struggles.

“It reassures us for the everyone else to be truly who we are. Imperfect.”

The figure of Bridget Jones touched many female hearts, who felt understood in her trials and tribulations.

From her embarrassing work mishaps, to her infamous granny pants, Bridget spoke to a demographic who saw themselves in her—and has attracted a new generation of Gen Z followers too.

The fourth film in the series, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was released in early this year, and sees Bridget living as a solo parent and facing modern dating.

It received varied critiques, but secured the strongest cinema debut ever for a love story in the region, according to industry sources.

The film was billed as the last installment in the saga—but speaking at the ceremony, two superfans, Faye and Wayne, said they were sure there would be a sequel.

“There were so many things that were not wrapped up at the end of the latest installment,” said Faye.

“Bridget keeps evolving. I hope to be with Bridget Jones all the way to the nursing home,” said Wayne.

When questioned about the prospect of a future story in Bridget Jones’ journey, Fielding said: “The door is open. Stories come to you as a author. So if a story appeared that I thought was real and interesting and original then I would pursue it.”

A few commentators think the struggling and flawed lead, who’s preoccupied by her weight and relationship status, is not the best example.

And Fielding personally has previously admitted that some parts of the narrative have not aged well.

“Bridget Jones’s Diary would not be created in the present day, written in this era, because all those male coworkers would be fired,” she said in the past. “That was a really different time.”

But commenting on the unveiling day, she said she wished the wider message of the novel would remain relevant for readers.

“Personally, to have the comfort of seeing a figure that you can connect with, because they are authentic and flawed and vulnerable, it’s like having the friend you can be real with,” she said.

The monument is the pioneering to commemorate a rom com on the landmark’s Scenes in the Square exhibit.

The Scenes in the Square exhibition was introduced in recently with the installation of multiple figures featuring classic duos, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman.

In the time since, sculptures of the boy wizard, the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Indiana Jones have been included.