Keira Knightley gushes over Cillian

May 3, 2007, 11:00 GMT

Irish actor Cillian Murphy EPA/CHRISTOPHE KARABA

Keira Knightley has been gushing about how "beautiful" Cillian Murphy is to her boyfriend ahead of the pair's passionate love scenes.

The 22-year-old actress confessed to actor Rupert Friend - who she has been dating for two years - she thinks her 'The Best Time of Our Lives' co-star is "amazing".

A source told Britain's Daily Express newspaper: "She told him Cillian has the most amazing eyes and is an amazing actor.

"Keira was blown away by Cillian's performance on his latest film 'Sunshine', and kept going on about it to Rupert and about his beautiful face."

Keira plays Cillian's adulterous wife in the film - written by Keira's mother Sharman Macdonald - about Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and the two women in his life.

The source added: "There are a lot of passionate scenes between Keira and Cillian so there's plenty of opportunity for Rupert to be hitting the wall if she carries on winding him up like this.

"But Keira has been saying that Rupert should get a grip because Cillian is married to artist Yvonne Guinness and adores his 15-month-old son Malachy."

Keira's confession is said to be part of her plan to keep 25-year-old Rupert - who she met on the set of 'Pride and Prejudice' - eager to impress her.

The insider said: "Keira is a tease and she loves to watch Rupert getting jealous.

"It's all part of their relationship and they have these spats and then kiss and make up all over again."

(C) BANG Media International