Pamela Anderson reveals why relationship with Liam Neeson ended in rare admission

Following a summer stuffed with speculation, Pamela Anderson has finally set the record straight on where her relationship currently stands with Naked Gun co-star, Liam Neeson, why it ended, and why everyone had it wrong when they speculated about the pair's behaviour on the film's press tour.

It was announced last year that the former Playboy bunny and Love, Actually actor would be appearing together in the parody flick, a 'reboot'/continuation of the much-loved Lt. Frank Drebin film series.

Neeson, 73, and Anderson, 58, recorded together almost everyday from May until June 2024, playing a pair of crime-fighting lovers.

Their on-screen chemistry was so palpable, however - and their red carpet appearances so handsy - that some fans were left convinced that the couple were secretly dating away from the cameras.

Others, however, were adamant that the looks of lust shared by the pair were nothing but a publicity stunt, serving to promote their professional project.

Despite these allegations, however, Anderson has this week spoken out, admitting that the couple did briefly enjoy a brief spark behind the scenes.

"If you must know, Liam and I were romantically involved for a short while but only after we finished filming," she told PEOPLE.

'The future Mrs Neeson'

The mother-of-two, who shares sons Brandon and Dylan with former flame Tommy Lee, went on to reveal that, after they recorded the slapstick hit together, the pair relished an 'intimate week' at Neeson's home in upstate New York.

"I had my own room," Anderson emphasised, however. "Our assistants both came; even family stopped by."

Amongst their handful of outings, the short-lived love birds 'went to dinner at a tiny French restaurant', where the actress was reportedly introduced to staff as 'the future Mrs Neeson'.

As a reminder, Neeson hasn't dated publicly since his late wife, Parent Trap star Natasha Richardson tragically died from a head injury after a skiing accident in 2009.

Anderson claimed they were a real couple for some time (Tristar Media/WireImage)

By her own admission, however, Anderson also spent some time together in Neeson's garden during their time together.

"I tended to a rosebush overgrown with mint," she joked. "I was happy to help, and he appreciated."

The ex-model also noted that during their 'romantic lost week', the Irish actor chased a bear away from a breakfast window in his bathrobe.

'Real feelings'

Eventually, however, Anderson and Neeson opted to remain firm friends, both having too many professional engagements to embark onto a full-fledged love affair.

"We went our separate ways to work on other films," she confirmed, adding that they only reconnected months later to promote their movie.

Despite spending almost every red carpet even holding hands and cuddling, they opted not to take their brief romance any further, claiming any PDAs were simply for 'fun'.

Describing their connection as 'a little bit like a Nancy Meyers film', Anderson went on to recall: "I always was laughing when people thought, 'Oh, that’s a publicity stunt'. I’m like, 'A publicity stunt? This is real. We have real feelings.'"

The couple appeared handsy during public outings (Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images)

She added: "I adore Liam, but we are better friends, in full honesty."

Asked when she last saw the father-of-two - who shared sons Micheál and Daniel with his late wife - Anderson revealed it was August, when Neeson surprised her by attending her performance in Tennessee Williams' Camino Real at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

"He is such a supporter of this new trajectory in my career and kindly tells me he is very proud of me," she went on to gush. "I’m sure we will always be in each other’s lives."