Matt Smith and Lily James meet up for tense lunch after split amid reports he’s grown close to The Crown’s Claire Foy
MATT Smith and Lily James met for a tense lunch date after The Sun exclusively revealed the pair have split up.
The former couple, who dated for five years, hung out in The Spaniards Inn, Highgate, London, before leaving together in a taxi.
An onlooker said: “It clearly wasn’t a relaxed date — there was no hand holding or affection.”
The meet up comes after it was reported Matt has grown close to his The Crown co-star Claire Foy - whom he shared sizzling on-screen chemistry with in the Netflix drama.
Heartthrob Matt, 37, looked dapper in a grey coat and neck scarf, while Lily, 30, went for a wintry style complete with a warm red hat.
Hectic schedules and a discomfort over his friendships with female stars is said to be behind their breakup.
The Sun revealed the couple called time on their romance a couple of months ago.
There were rows about their schedules which meant long periods away from each other — and often close to other stars.
An insider said: “Things haven’t been right for a while, and a few months ago they decided to finally end it properly.
“It has been difficult because they have many mutual friends, so hopefully it will all stay civilised. But for now the relationship is formally off.”
Tellingly, Lily was absent from photographs taken at Matt’s 37th birthday party in October, where the Doctor Who actor celebrated with close friends and family.
Meanwhile she has been on holiday to South Africa with her friends, including stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray.
And this week she was spotted leaving a British Fashion Awards party in London in a taxi with hunky actor Max Ianeselli.
Last weekend at the British Independent Film Awards onlookers say Lily looked “visibly shaken” and “as though she was putting on a brave face”.
On fellow guest told how she appeared to be upset, even breaking off from a conversation with fellow star Kristin Scott Thomas — who she had presented with an award — to compose herself in the ladies’ loos.
The onlooker explained: “Lily was re-doing her eye make-up and just looked like she was a bit shell-shocked.
“At one point during a conversation she sort of glazed over and then apologised saying she had a lot on her mind.
“She doesn’t know what to believe — she still loves Matt of course, but it has been a very difficult period for her.”
Matt who played a young Prince Philip in the first two series of Netflix drama The Crown is said to have been consoled by Foy, who starred as Queen Elizabeth.
The mum-of-one split from her husband, actor Stephen Campbell Moore, in February 2018 having been separated “for some time”.
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Now Matt and Claire are said to have been spending increasing amounts of time together near their homes in North London.
They also raised eyebrows with their intense chemistry during an acclaimed portrayal of a husband and wife in drama Lungs at The Old Vic theatre in the capital.
Sources close to Matt have played down the link.
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