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The Oscar-winning actress has praised the freshly installed statue of Bridget Jones as “adorable”, explaining, “I think, it’s much cuter than me.”

The actress was talking as the recently revealed statue commemorating the character she played for many years was unveiled in the heart of the city on the start of the week.

Bridget Jones was created in 1996 by writer Helen Fielding, and initially brought for the movies in 2001. The newest movie was released this past February.

Talking at the ceremony, Fielding left open writing more, stating you should “avoid closing doors.”

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

“Her sensitivity, her authenticity,” she said. “We see our own reflections in her, we relate in her journeys.

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

The figure of Bridget Jones touched many women’s hearts, who found solace in her personal journey.

From her awkward work mishaps, to her infamous granny pants, Bridget spoke to a demographic who found a mirror in her—and has attracted a fresh wave of younger fans too.

The fourth film in the series, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was released in February, and sees Bridget living as a widowed mom and facing contemporary romance.

It garnered varied critiques, but achieved the strongest cinema debut ever for a romantic comedy in the region, according to industry sources.

The film was described as the final one in the saga—but commenting at the statue unveiling, two longtime enthusiasts, Faye and Wayne, said they were convinced there would be a sequel.

“There are so many things that were left unresolved at the finale of the recent movie,” said Faye.

“Bridget keeps changing. I’d love to be with Bridget Jones all the way to the later years,” added Wayne.

When questioned about the possibility of a next installment in Bridget Jones’ journey, Fielding said: “Never say never. Stories arrive as a author. So if a narrative appeared that I thought was real and compelling and original then I would write it.”

A few commentators think the struggling and human lead, who’s obsessed over her weight and relationship status, is not the strongest inspiration.

And Fielding herself has noted earlier that elements of the narrative seem less relevant today.

“Bridget Jones’s Diary would be impossible to produce in the present day, written in this era, because all those male coworkers would be sacked,” she said last year. “That was a really different time.”

But commenting on Monday, she said she hoped the broader theme of the novel would remain relevant for audiences.

“In my view, to have the reassurance of observing a persona that you can identify with, because they are genuine and human and emotionally honest, it’s like having the friend you can be real with,” she said.

The statue is the first to honor a love story on Leicester Square’s Scenes in the Square walk.

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

In the time since, figures of Harry Potter, the royal chair from Game of Thrones, the beloved dog and the explorer have been added.