Anderson said the pair were “romantically involved for a short while” after finishing the filming of spoof comedy The Naked Gun , which became a box-office hit over the summer.

The relationship has long been rumoured, but Anderson confirmed it for the first time, while also dismissing claims it was just a “showmance”.

In an interview with People magazine, the 58-year-old said she spent an “intimate week” with Neeson (73) at his home in upstate New York, during which time they went to dinner and gardened.

Anderson said they “went to dinner at a tiny French restaurant where he introduced me as the ‘future Mrs Neeson’” and she “tended to a rosebush overgrown with mint … I was happy to help, and he appreciated”.

“I had my own room,” she said. “Our assistants both came; even family stop

See Full Page