Bill Nighy, 72, looks dapper as he steps out for lunch with a pretty female companion - after enjoying a string of romantic dinners with Anna Wintour

• e-mail

Bill Nighy stepped out for lunch at Cecconi Restaurant in London with a female companion on Wednesday. 

The Love Actually actor, 72, - who enjoyed a series of romantic dinners with Vogue icon Anna Wintour this summer - looked in good spirits as he was joined by a pretty blonde for the meal out.

He cut a dapper figure in a smart navy coat, grey trousers, silk scarf and black shoes as he made his way out of the swanky eatery.  

Out and about: Bill Nighy stepped out for lunch at Cecconi Restaurant in London with a female companion on Wednesday

Meanwhile his companion showed off her chic sense of style in a long cream winter coat and roll neck sweater.  

The pair dined together at the Italian restaurant before leaving together and chatting away.  

A representative for Bill has been contacted by MailOnline for a comment. 

It comes after Bill and Anna, 71, enjoyed several cosy dinners in Rome this summer. 

Stroll: The Love Actually actor, 72, - who enjoyed a series of romantic dinners with Vogue icon Anna Wintour this summer - looked in good spirits as he was joined by a pretty blonde

On one occasion the pair appeared delighted to be in one another's company and wrapped their arms around each other before sitting down to enjoy an al-fresco meal.

During another dinner, Bill gifted Anna roses, following the fashion mogul's divorce from her partner of 20 years.

The pair reportedly became close following Anna's split from her 'husband' of 16 years, Shelby Bryan, last year. 

Meanwhile, Bill's last known relationship was with English actress Diana Quick. 

Lunch: It comes after Bill and Anna, 71, enjoyed several cosy dinners in Rome this summer (pictured on August 27)  

The couple struck up a romance in 1980 and welcomed a daughter - Mary Nighy - in 1984. They were together for 28 years and separated in 2008. 

Rumours have been circulating about Anna and Bill since 2015 as the pair have been spotted together at numerous fashion shows, theatres and restaurants in London and New York.  

Anna and telecoms tycoon Shelby, 75, were one of America's most powerful couples, a match seemingly made in heaven when it came to bridging the worlds of fashion, business and politics.

But 21 years after their passionate love affair made headline news on both sides of the Atlantic, it was reported by MailOnline in October 2020 that the relationship was said to be over.

There is also a question mark over whether the pair were ever actually married, with a well-placed source indicating they never did tie the knot, and that the relationship had been over for some time. 

According to several reports in the US media, the pair's romance began to cool as far back as 2013, when 74-year-old Shelby was revealed to owe £1.2 million in unpaid taxes to the IRS — the American equivalent to the Inland Revenue.

There have been rumours for a while, and denials, too, that he might have returned to former wife Katherine Bryan, whose subsequent husband, investment banker Damon Mezzacappa, died in 2015.

A source close to Katherine is said to have insisted that the pair have simply remained friends because of their children. 

Power couple: The pair reportedly became close following Anna's split from her 'husband' of 16 years, Shelby Bryan, last year (pictured in 2002) 

Meanwhile, tongues have been wagging about Anna's relationship with actor Bill since 2010.

In January last year, the editor-in-chief was said to have been 'beaming' and looked 'happier than ever' when she and Bill were spotted eating together in New York — so happy, in fact, she even momentarily took off her trademark sunglasses.

Bill has always declined to comment on whether their friendship is love, actually. 

In 2015, when asked about it, he replied: 'Obviously I have nothing to say about that. There are a lot of rumours about me and probably about Anna Wintour.'

Certainly, it has been a while since Anna — who has two grown-up children, Charles, 36, and Bee, 33 with her first husband, South African child psychiatrist Dr David Shaffer — has been seen with Shelby.

One of the last times they were photographed together as a couple was back in 2018 at the U.S. Open tennis championships.

Love life: Meanwhile, Bill's last known relationship was with English actress Diana Quick (pictured in 2012)