The BFX factor (that's best-friend ex): The A-list couples bonding with their best-friend exes

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Who says divorce means the end of a relationship? These A-list ex-couples have proved not only that they can remain friends, but they can even bond with their former partners’ new lovers. Brad and Angelina, take note…

Chris and Gwyneth have remained close since she began dating Brad

Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin and Brad Falchuk

THE EXES: Gwyneth, 44, and Chris, 39, became a transatlantic power duo after meeting backstage at a Coldplay gig in 2002. But after having two children, Apple, now 12, and Moses, ten, they finalised their divorce last year.

Gwyneth is now dating Brad Falchuck

THE NEW LOVE-IN: Since they consciously uncoupled in 2014, Gwyneth and Chris have remained in close contact, even though she is now dating producer Brad Falchuk, 45. 

All three have been spotted partying in Los Angeles together. 

Gwyneth says of her relationship with Chris: ‘We’ll have a weekend all together; on holidays, we’re together. We’re still very much a family.’

MATES RATING: 8/10

Kate Beckinsale, Michael Sheen and Sarah Silverman

Michael and Sarah (right) show support for Kate (centre) at a film premiere

THE EXES: Love & Friendship star Kate, 43, and Michael, 48, met in a 1995 production of The Seagull. They had daughter Lily, 18, in 1999, but split up four years later.

THE NEW LOVE-IN: With Kate single again after the break-up of her marriage to director Len Wiseman, 43, she has formed a tight-knit trio with the Welsh actor and his partner of two years, comedian Sarah Silverman, 46. 

The actress describes Sarah as ‘fantastic’ and ‘basically family’. And while the arrangement – gathering as a threesome, both for family events and on the red carpet – may seem unusual, she says: ‘It’s so normal for us.’

MATES RATING: 10/10 

Kate and Matt, left, were joined by Elle, centre, last Halloween

Kate Hudson, Matt Bellamy and Elle Evans

THE EXES: Kate, 37, began dating Devon rocker Matt, 38, in 2010, and they became engaged in 2011 – the same year that their son Bingham was born. They split in 2014.

THE NEW LOVE-IN: Kate and her former fiancé’s new love Elle Evans are such pals that they even mention each other on Instagram. But it’s all part of the Almost Famous star’s determination to ‘create something for the children [Kate has another son, Ryder, 13, with ex-husband Chris Robinson] where they feel as though they’re gaining something, rather than losing it.’ In fact, Kate is so close to the Muse frontman and his 26-year-old model girlfriend that they socialise together. Last year, the trio were seen trick-or-treating and Matt and Elle even joined Kate on a skiing holiday in Aspen. ‘Children just want to see their parents be cool,’ says Kate.

MATES RATING: 9/10

Bruce with wife Emma, daughter Tallulah and ex Demi

Demi Moore, Bruce Willis and Emma Heming

THE EXES: Following their split in 2000 after 13 years of marriage, Bruce, now 61, and Demi, 54, were one of the first A-list couples to seamlessly transition into friendship, determined to stay amicable for the sake of daughters Rumer, 28, Scout, 25, and Tallulah, 22.

THE NEW LOVE-IN: Demi is still a regular feature in Bruce’s life, and is so close with him and wife of seven years Emma Heming, 38, that they reportedly all once lived in the same New York building. The Die Hard star also embraced Demi’s third husband Ashton Kutcher, 38, before they divorced in 2013. ‘We still have that bond,’ says Bruce of his ex-wife.

MATES RATING: 8/10 

Orlando and Katy, left, and Miranda and Evan, right

Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel

THE EXES: Orlando, 40, and Miranda, 33, dated for three years before marrying in 2010. Their son Flynn was born in January 2011, but two years later they were divorced.

THE NEW LOVE-IN: Orlando and Australian model Miranda have gone one step further and both are friends with each other’s new partners. Miranda insists that she and her ex are so cosy that they’ve formed a ‘modern family’, along with her fiancé, Snapchat billionaire Evan Spiegel, 26, and Orlando’s girlfriend of a year, Katy Perry, 32. The gang reportedly skied together in Wyoming last December and Miranda has described the quartet as ‘so close’. She once even joked that if she were to move back to Australia, they could all live on a farm together.

MATES RATING: 7/10