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Silverstone's secret love 2006-07-22

Alicia Silverstone claims false rumours about her sexuality helped her romance with Chris Jarecki develop into something special.

The 'Stormbreaker' actress - who first met Jarecki in 1996, before the pair went onto to date and eventually marry last year - insists she was happy to ignore gay rumours because it kept her relationship private.

She said: "I was only 20 when I met Chris. It was a long time before we became romantically involved because I was so busy with my career. I started to realise that he was the most wonderful man I'd probably ever meet.

"But I didn't want to talk about him because I thought it might jinx it."

Silverstone admits she was reluctant to conduct her relationship in the media spotlight and can understand why some sceptics refused to believe her boyfriend even existed.

She added: "I didn't want us to become a showbiz couple. I'm naturally that way about my private life. I think some people must have thought, 'Does this guy really exist?'"