Rupert Friend's Keira camera contact

Thursday, 7 May 2009

Keira Knightley and her boyfriend Rupert Friend use web cameras to keep their relationship alive.

The 'Cheri' actor - who has been dating Keira since they starred together in 2005's 'Pride and Prejudice' - admits it is difficult to be apart when they are working on different film projects, so the pair have come up with a modern way to keep in contact.

When asked how he and Keira make their relationship work, Rupert told BANG Showbiz: "We use Skype? old school!"

The 27-year-old actor also relies on the computer programme - which allows users to speak to and watch each other using microphones and web cameras - to contact friends in England.

He explained at the UK premiere of his latest movie 'Cheri' at London's Cine lumiere, Institut Francais last night (06.05.09): "I use the computer to keep in touch with everybody. I don't really know anything about computers but I think email and things like that are pretty great inventions."

However, Rupert insists he is an old romantic at heart and believes handwritten letters are the best way to keep the spark alive in a relationship.

He said: "I love letters. So actually, I take all that back. It is probably a far more romantic idea to go away to sea and write letters.

"But my handwriting is terrible, almost illegible. So I have to go really slowly, and I think faster when I write. So my writing goes away from me and is really not very good."

Rupert also revealed he was delighted to work alongside 51-year-old Michelle Pfeiffer in 'Cheri', which tells the story of an affair between a retired courtesan and her younger lover.

He said: "I enjoyed it very much. I got to spend three wonderful months in France, in bed with Michelle Pfeiffer!"