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Renée Zellweger has praised the new statue of Bridget Jones as “delightful”, explaining, “I think, she’s much cuter than me.”

Zellweger was commenting as the new statue celebrating the beloved figure she played for many years was unveiled in the iconic London square on the start of the week.

Bridget Jones was first imagined in 1996 by author Helen Fielding, and first adapted for the cinema in the early 2000s. The newest movie came out earlier this year.

Commenting at the reveal, Fielding left open writing more, remarking you should “avoid closing doors.”

The star explained that people everywhere can see themselves in Bridget, which accounts for her huge appeal.

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

“It makes it OK for the rest of us to be genuinely who we are. Real.”

The persona of Bridget Jones touched many women’s hearts, who found solace in her ups and downs.

From her awkward work mishaps, to her notorious granny pants, Bridget resonated with a age group who saw themselves in her—and has recently won over a new generation of Gen Z followers too.

The latest movie in the saga, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was released in early this year, and shows Bridget portrayed as a single mother and exploring modern dating.

It garnered mixed reviews, but achieved the best box office opening ever for a rom-com in the region, according to industry sources.

The film was promoted as the conclusion in the saga—but reflecting at the event, two superfans, Faye and Wayne, said they were certain there would be a sequel.

“There were so many things that were left unresolved at the end of the latest installment,” said Faye.

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

When questioned about the possibility of a new chapter in Bridget Jones’ saga, Fielding said: “Never say never. Inspiration come to you as a writer. So if a concept appeared that I thought was authentic and interesting and original then I would write it.”

Some think the floundering and imperfect heroine, who’s preoccupied by her appearance and relationship status, is not the strongest inspiration.

And Fielding personally has noted earlier that certain aspects of the narrative have not aged well.

“Bridget Jones’s Diary would not be created in the present day, set now, because all those workplace characters would be dismissed,” she said previously. “It was a really different time.”

But speaking on the unveiling day, she said she aspired the broader theme of the story would still resonate for audiences.

“In my view, to have the comfort of watching a figure that you can connect with, because they are real and human and open, it’s like having the friend you can be honest with,” she said.

The monument is the pioneering to celebrate a love story on the landmark’s Scenes in the Square walk.

The public art trail was introduced in 2020 with the introduction of multiple figures featuring Laurel and Hardy, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman.

Since then, figures of the boy wizard, the iconic seat from Game of Thrones, the giant canine and the explorer have been added.