The filmmaker has worked with his partner on several projects, after meeting on the set of 'Planet of the Apes', but he insists it's not hard because Helena is such a good actress.

He said: "It's quite easy. The fact is, before I met her, she'd done lots of things. She's very secure in what she does. There's no conflict. She's the most secure actress I've ever met. So there are no problems - yet!"

However, Tim - who has two children, Billy, eight, and four-year-old Nell, with Helena - says when he cast her in 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' he was very harsh during her audition as he didn't want to be accused of favouritism.

He added to Total Film magazine: "When we did 'Sweeney Todd' I didn't want to seem like I was giving the job to my girlfriend or anything. I was probably harder on her for that reason - I just wanted to make sure that she was really, really right for it."

Bang Showbiz