Olivier must love Kylie, he doesn't have flings..but it won't harm

THERE can be few women in the world who don't understand why Kylie Minogue has fallen for French actor Olivier Martinez.

Apart from his chiselled features, smouldering eyes and fantastically toned body there is his obvious charisma.

But his first love - actress Clotilde Courau - knows that the perfection of the man they call the French Brad Pitt isn't just skin deep.

She shared a tiny flat with the smouldering Olivier before he found fame as an international film star.

At the time he was a struggling actor from a working class family who had the modest ambition of a career on the Paris stage.

Today the actress insists Kylie, who fell for him at last month's Grammy music awards in New York, has found herself a worthy boyfriend - one who is a far cry from the singer's last lover, model James Gooding.

Clotilde, 34, now a well-known actress in her own right in France, says of their 1980s romance: "Even all those years ago there was something very special about Olivier, although he was too unassuming to realise it.

"We lived in a tiny Paris flat back then. We were just starting out on our careers and weren't well known at all.

"No one recognised us, so it was easy to wander round arm-in-arm or sit in cafes without being bothered. If we went out together in Paris now we'd be mobbed.

"It was wonderful back in those days."

She described how Olivier would visit his parents every weekend at their flat in the Paris suburbs, and would often spar with boxers at a local gym egged on by dad Robert, a Spanish-Moroccan immigrant and former welterweight champion.

For several years Olivier thought about becoming a professional boxer himself before choosing to become an actor. In 1989 he won a place at the prestigious Paris Conservatory, the RADA of France.

He recalled with typical modesty: "Among my boxing mates I was always the best actor. Now among my acting friends I'm easily the best boxer."

While Olivier went on to find fame in America - most recently starring with Richard Gere and Diane Lane in Unfaithful - girlfriend Clotilde became one of the best-known faces in France. She also starred with Dawn French and Phyllida Law in the British comedy film Milk.

But just as their acting careers began to take off,, their romance began to diminish.

Clotilde added: "As time passed we both started getting more work and spent months away.

"Sadly we drifted apart, but I have nothing but fond memories of him.

"It is incredible how famous he has become."

Despite the break-up, she wishes Kylie no ill, and can even joke about their blossoming love.

She insists: "Since me he has dated lots of celebrities which has kept his profile high.

"Now he's with Kylie that's not going to do his career any harm either - although I'm sure he loves her. He's a serious guy and would not be with her otherwise.

"I'm sure Kylie's a lovely girl and I wish them all the luck in the world."

But she can't resist joking: "Perhaps I should get myself a famous boyfriend to give my career a boost. I think Robbie Williams is gorgeous and so talented.

"If Olivier's got Kylie, why can't I have Robbie?"

After the break up of Olivier' s relationship with Clotilde, he had a three-year relationship with French beauty Juliette Binoche and another lasting four years with Hollywood star Mira Sorvino - both Oscar winning actresses.

But like everyone who knows him, Olivier's former fellow students at the Paris Conservatory have nothing but compliments for him.

Fellow drama student Agathe Chouchan, 37, lavished praise on him, saying: "Not only is Olivier very talented and handsome, but everything he ever does is totally sincere and deeply felt.

"He always had fairly modest ambitions. I don't think he saw himself as a future matinee idol.

"Like all of us back then, he wanted to make a name for himself in Paris theatres.

"He is the least cynical man on earth. He's totally trusting and very sensitive - this applies to everything, especially to his relations with other people and, of course, with girlfriends .

"If he's with Kylie now, then he must like her. A lot. I know Olivier. He'll be in love."

She added: "If Kylie's invited him to meet her parents and he has agreed to go, then it must mean he believes he's in for the long haul.

"In his eyes, it'll be marriage one day."

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