Hollywood Ex-Files

It's true that nowadays most people don't marry their childhood sweetheart, preferring instead to play the field a bit and see what else is out there, so why should we expect Hollywood types to be any different?

It probably has something to do with the fact the world's media gets their knickers in a twist when they see two Tinseltowners hanging out together in a more than platonic way, and then when that fizzles out, they get all unnecessary when they see the same stars veering off towards another A-lister.

And also we notice when these 'special' people split up with their equally 'special' partner - married or not - because we have a small smug smirk plastered on our faces, as we think back to our cynicism when they talked about true love, soul mates and being the one. Blah, blah, blah.

But what is interesting, is that, despite their high-profile romances which have skidded to a halt, so many stars refuse to learn from their mistakes and rock up to the next award ceremony with another famous lover.

And some of them are serious serial celebrity daters, such as Tom "I've been married to actress Mimi Rogers, actress Nicole Kidman and have dated actress Penelope Cruz - none lasted" Cruise But now I'm married to actress Katie Homes and we have a child together - fingers crossed!.

Or Uma "I got married real young to actor Gary Oldman and then married actor Ethan Hawke - neither worked" Thurman.

Or even Kenneth "I married British actress Emma Thompson, then went out with British actress Helena Bonham Carter - neither worked" Branagh.

Or how about Troy star, Brad "I went out with actress Juliette Lewis, then actress Gwyneth Paltrow, then actress Jennifer Aniston - and none lasted, but now I'm married to actress Angelina Jolie - fingers crossed" Pitt.

Sure, there are those Hollywood A-list couples who've managed to stick together throughout the years, and don't swop partners with each new project - such as Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins or Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell - but there's nothing wrong with a healthy portion of cynicism.

And let's face it, with all those beautiful people around, it would be almost illegal not to dabble.

After all, very few people can go into a sweetshop and buy one fizzy cola bottle - the gobstoppers and strawberry bonbons are always worth a try - it would be rude not to.

Check the 'no longer got gas' relationships in full colour with our photo gallery.

Vic Saggers