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Renée Zellweger has praised the new statue of Bridget Jones as “delightful”, remarking, “I think, it’s a lot sweeter than me.”

Zellweger was speaking as the recently revealed statue honoring the beloved figure she played for more than 20 years was presented in the heart of the city on the start of the week.

Bridget Jones was introduced in the mid-1990s by writer Helen Fielding, and originally translated for the movies in the early 2000s. The newest movie came out this past February.

Speaking at the reveal, Fielding did not dismiss taking her story further, remarking you should “always keep options open.”

The star explained that audiences can connect with Bridget, which accounts for her massive popularity.

“Her openness, her humanness,” she said. “We recognise ourselves in her, we recognise ourselves in her journeys.

“It makes it OK for the everyone else to be genuinely who we are. Imperfect.”

The figure of Bridget Jones resonated deeply with many female hearts, who felt understood in her personal journey.

From her embarrassing work blunders, to her infamous granny pants, Bridget connected with a demographic who found a mirror in her—and has recently won over a whole new set of Gen Z followers too.

The fourth film in the saga, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was released in early this year, and depicts Bridget portrayed as a solo parent and facing today’s relationships.

It earned mixed reviews, but secured the highest cinema debut ever for a romantic comedy in the UK and Ireland, according to industry sources.

The film was described as the final one in the franchise—but speaking at the ceremony, two dedicated followers, Faye and Wayne, said they were certain there would be a follow-up.

“There are so many things that were open-ended at the conclusion of the latest installment,” said Faye.

“Her character keeps growing. I hope to be with Bridget Jones all the way to the retirement home,” said Wayne.

When asked about the prospect of a future story in Bridget Jones’ story, Fielding said: “Anything is possible. Ideas emerge as a author. So if a concept appeared that I thought was real and compelling and original then I would develop it.”

A few commentators think the struggling and flawed protagonist, who’s fixated with her weight and relationship status, is not the strongest inspiration.

And Fielding herself has noted earlier that certain aspects of the story seem less relevant today.

“Bridget Jones’s Diary would be impossible to produce in the present day, placed in modern times, because all those workplace characters would be dismissed,” she said last year. “It 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.

“In my view, to have the reassurance of observing a figure that you can identify with, because they are authentic and imperfect and vulnerable, it’s like having the confidante you can be true with,” she said.

The statue is the inaugural to celebrate a rom com on Leicester Square’s Scenes in the Square exhibit.

The Scenes in the Square trail was introduced in the year 2020 with the installation of eight sculptures featuring comedy legends, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman.

After that, sculptures of Harry Potter, the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones, Clifford the Big Red Dog and the adventurer have been added.