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The Oscar-winning actress has praised the new statue of Bridget Jones as “endearing”, remarking, “Personally, she’s a lot sweeter than me.”

Zellweger was talking as the new statue commemorating the character she played for many years was presented in the iconic London square on the start of the week.

Bridget Jones was first imagined in the mid-1990s by writer Helen Fielding, and initially brought for the cinema in 2001. The newest movie was released in recent months.

Talking at the ceremony, Fielding did not dismiss taking her story further, stating you should “avoid closing doors.”

Zellweger noted that everyone can see themselves in Bridget, which explains her enduring charm.

“Her openness, her authenticity,” she said. “We identify in her, we connect in her journeys.

“It reassures us for the everyone else to be genuinely who we are. Flawed.”

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

From her humorous work blunders, to her infamous granny pants, Bridget resonated with a demographic who saw themselves in her—and has gained a new generation of new admirers too.

The fourth film in the series, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was debuted in February, and sees Bridget living as a solo parent and tackling contemporary romance.

It garnered mixed reviews, but recorded the highest theatrical launch ever for a romantic comedy in the region, according to data.

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

“There were so many things that were open-ended at the end of the recent movie,” said Faye.

“Bridget keeps changing. I hope to be with Bridget Jones all the way to the later years,” said Wayne.

When asked about the chance of a future story in Bridget Jones’ journey, Fielding said: “Never say never. Inspiration come to you as a writer. So if a narrative appeared that I thought was true and interesting and original then I would pursue it.”

Certain critics think the imperfect and imperfect heroine, who’s preoccupied by her appearance and romantic situation, is not the strongest inspiration.

And Fielding personally has acknowledged in the past that elements of the series seem less relevant today.

“Bridget Jones’s Diary would not be created now, written in this era, because all those workplace characters would be fired,” she said in the past. “It was a distinct period.”

But speaking on Monday, she said she wished the broader theme of the novel would remain relevant for fans.

“In my view, to have the comfort of observing a character that you can connect with, because they are genuine and imperfect and vulnerable, it’s like having the companion you can be real with,” she said.

The monument is the inaugural to commemorate a love story on Leicester Square’s movie trail exhibit.

The Scenes in the Square display first debuted in the year 2020 with the addition of multiple figures showcasing comedy legends, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman.

Since then, figures of Harry Potter, the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones, Clifford the Big Red Dog and the explorer have been included.