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The Oscar-winning actress has called the freshly installed statue of Bridget Jones as “delightful”, remarking, “I think, she’s far more charming than me.”

Zellweger was speaking as the new statue celebrating the character she embodied for over two decades was presented in the heart of the city on the start of the week.

Bridget Jones was first imagined in the mid-1990s by writer Helen Fielding, and first adapted for the movies in the early 2000s. The latest installment was released this past February.

Speaking at the unveiling, Fielding refused to rule out continuing the series, stating you should “always keep options open.”

The star added that everyone can connect with Bridget, which accounts for her huge appeal.

“It’s her openness, her humanity,” she said. “We recognise ourselves in her, we connect in her journeys.

“It gives permission for the others to be truly who we are. Imperfect.”

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

From her awkward work mishaps, to her iconic granny pants, Bridget connected with a generation who saw themselves in her—and has gained a new generation of new admirers too.

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

It received divided opinions, but secured the highest cinema debut ever for a rom-com in the region, according to data.

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

“There were so many things that were open-ended at the conclusion of the last film,” said Faye.

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

When asked about the possibility of a next installment in Bridget Jones’ story, Fielding said: “The door is open. Inspiration come to you as a author. So if a concept appeared that I thought was true and compelling and original then I would write it.”

Some think the floundering and human protagonist, who’s fixated with her body image and love life, is not the best example.

And Fielding herself has previously admitted that some parts of the series have not aged well.

“Bridget Jones’s Diary would not be created in the present day, placed in modern times, because all those men in the office would be dismissed,” she said last year. “It was a really different time.”

But reflecting on the unveiling day, she said she aspired the overarching idea of the book would still resonate for audiences.

“In my view, to have the reassurance of seeing a character that you can identify with, because they are genuine and imperfect and open, it’s like having the friend you can be honest with,” she said.

The monument is the pioneering to honor a love story on the landmark’s public art walk.

The cinema sculpture trail was introduced in the year 2020 with the addition of several statues featuring Laurel and Hardy, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman.

In the time since, statues of the boy wizard, the iconic seat from Game of Thrones, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Indiana Jones have been included.