AFP

Liam Neeson with his late wife Natasha Richardson during the British premiere of his film The Other Man.

Friends of actor Liam Neeson have laughed off reports that he is getting hitched to new girlfriend Freya St Johnston.

Showbiz circles were buzzing with speculation last week that the 58-year-old Hollywood movie superstar had gotten engaged to the London-based PR executive.

According to US magazine, The National Enquirer, the leading man in hit movies such as Love Actually, Taken and Star Wars has asked the 36-year-old English woman to be his real life 'leading lady'.

A source was quoted as saying that the pair are now planning their wedding to take place in late 2011 - two and a half years after the tragic skiing accident death of his wife Natasha Richardson.

The source said: “Liam never imagined he'd get over Natasha's death, let alone fall in love again.

“She's been very patient with Liam and never once pressured him to move fast or make any commitments. At this point, they're leaning toward a small ceremony in New York late this year.”

But last night, friends close to the Ballymena-born star told Sunday Life that the story is a “waste of time” and completely untrue.

Last September, the news broke that Neeson had begun dating again. He was pictured holding hands with public relations executive Freya St Johnston coming out of posh London restaurant, Nobu.

Later the couple were spotted going into the five star Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair.

It is believed Neeson met Freya, 36, through friends in the film world and has visited her modest flat in west London.

Her home is in marked contrast to Neeson's multi-million-pound home in New York, where he lives with his sons Michael, 15, and Daniel, 14.

Recently, Freya's neighbours have seen huge bunches of flowers regularly being delivered to her flat and she has been wearing a ring on the third finger of her left hand.

She has two children, including eight-year-old son Ned, by her ex-partner Matthew Winton, 37. - Sunday Life