Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding: It's acceptable to be single now

Being single is more acceptable now than it was when Bridget Jones first burst onto our screens, the book's author has said.

Helen Fielding said when she created Bridget in 1995 it was "genuinely slightly embarrassing to be single in your 30s."

Speaking at the world premier of the third film Bridget Jones Baby, she said: "It was like 'what's the problem?' Bridget said 'underneath my clothes my whole body is covered in scales'.

"That's what people thought - that you would die alone and end up being eaten by a dog. But now there is the word singleton and it's more accepted."

Helen Fielding said it is more acceptable to be single these days. Credit: PA

But Fielding said one of the downsides was how much social media has transformed the way in which we feel about relationships - causing a gap between how we think we should be and how we actually feel.

"The kids now post on Instagram, but they are not posting their worst day or their fattest day, they are posting their most beautiful touched up day and everyone is feeling a bit bad about themselves.

"It's brutal if the Snapchat is of someone who has just dumped you with someone else, which happens all the time!

"It's not just not being at the party, it's seeing everyone at the party. More than ever, people need to hang on to the solid stuff."

Renee Zellweger is back playing Bridget Jones after 12 years. Credit: PA

Fielding was joined at the Leicester Square premier by Renee Zellweger, who has played Bridget in all three films.

Colin Firth and newcomer Patrick Dempsey, who play her love rivals, were also there.

The third movie finds the Bridget unexpectedly pregnant and unsure of who the father is.

Asked why it has been 12 years since the last film, Zellweger said: "I think Colin described it as wrangling cats to get everyone involved.

"But I'm glad it took a long time because it shows how everyone has evolved in their lives and we can catch up with the people we fell in love with.

"It feels like a happy reunion with old friends. She makes us feel like it's OK to be imperfect, she makes me laugh."

  • Bridget Jones's Baby is released in the UK on September 16.