3 DECEMBER 2001
When his marriage to Titanic beauty Kate Winslet faltered, director Jim Threapleton was said to be “inconsolable and bewildered”. However, three months on he reveals he’s doing just fine.

“Life was rough living with a movie star,” he told the Mail On Sunday while on holiday in Texas where Kate is busy filming. “I’m much happier now.”

And while a reconciliation is not on the cards – she’s since taken up with American Beauty director Sam Mendes – the former husband and wife are adamant that baby Mia remain their top priority.

“It’s hard when you have an ex-wife who is this busy and successful. Kate was always busy travelling and Mia would be with her,” says Jim. “I am actually seeing more of my daughter since we split up.”

And while one might expect an icy relationship between the two, there was nary a harsh word exchanged during his stop in Austin where she’s working on The Life Of David Gale. “My relationship with Kate is perfect now,” he says. “Everything is going according to plan with the divorce and we have agreed to be friends. We are structuring our lives around Mia and that is something I am enjoying very much.”

Jim and Kate separated in September much to the surprise of the film making community. They were often photographed around London playing with Mia and were believed to have one of the stronger showbiz marriages. However, the pair called it quits in September. No third parties were said to be involved, though Kate’s sudden new romance has sparked a bit of controversy.

“I have nothing to hide and I want to make sure the truth is clearly stated about us,” said Oscar-winner Sam. “Yes, we are having a relationship… We didn’t acknowledge what we were feeling about each other until sometime in September. It was absolutely appropriate as I was not in a relationship and neither was Kate.”