On and off from 1996 to about 2001. Broke up for the first time after compromising photos emerged of her with Nigel Godrich. She was in London recording
and David was in LA. "You know what it's like. Your girlfriend is more than 5,000 miles away, and no matter how much you trust her, you just can't help wondering what she's up to. Well, that's how it is for David Schwimmer. He's in Hollywood, earning pounds 66,000 for every episode of Channel 4's hit American import Friends, while stunning girlfriend Natalie Imbruglia is in London, recording her debut album and pining for her California lover. At least, so he thought. Until now. As our pictures show, while Natalie is undoubtedly making sweet music with record producer Nigel Godrich, their efforts are not confined to the studio. Natalie, 22 - she was Beth Brennan in Neighbours - left the Aussie soap two years ago to pursue her singing career. Nigel, producer for top bands such as Radiohead, is masterminding Natalie's forthcoming album in a London recording studio. Discussion of the musical details clearly carried over to the actress's mansion flat in North West London, where the couple have been spending nights together. One observer says: "The minute Nigel clapped eyes on Natalie he was smitten."At first she didn't want to know and he tried everything he knew to win her over. He bombarded her with phone calls and kept begging her for dates but she kept him at bay. As the weeks went by his persistence finally paid off. Now they can't keep their hands off one another." That much was clear as the couple strolled hand in hand near Natalie's home. Nigel, dressed in shapeless baggy trousers, an open-necked shirt and battered suede jacket, lovingly stroked her neck as they chatted in the street. Then he couldn't resist pulling her close for a long, passionate kiss. Natalie's album is due out next year on the RCA label. Music insiders monitoring its progress say she's good, and it'll be a success. But it's unlikely that Natalie will ever again be top of the pops with David, just as the 29-year-old heart-throb was telling friends he had finally found the girl of his dreams. It's been a long slog. First there was Sarah Trimble, his girlfriend for almost three years. The couple planned to marry, and David was heartbroken when they separated in January last year. He blamed pressure of work. David vowed never to get seriously involved again, but he dated scores of girls and soon he was admitting that he longed for a "real" relationship. He told friends: "I am actively looking for a good woman." Then along came Natalie, and it was love all over again.
Besotted, after just a few weeks David suggested a trial marriage and asked her to move into his pounds 1million Hollywood mansion.
And when Natalie became homesick he was ready to give up his role in Friends and follow her back to her native Australia. David said: "I've no desire to be a megastar.
"I'd like to have a normal life like anyone else, and if that means losing this career then that's what I'll do. "It's much more important to me to be a father, to have a healthy family life and to be happy. "I guess I'm just an old- fashioned guy." Not just that - with his dark good looks and deep, chocolate-brown eyes, David has become an international sex symbol since Friends took off. And worried producers of the show had nightmares about their star disappearing Down Under with his new love. They were so determined not to let that happen that they planned to offer Natalie a part in the show as David's screen girlfriend. Natalie, meanwhile, seemed equally happy, describing David as "a bundle of fun and a wonderful lover." Loyal, too. At a rock concert in Las Vegas he turned down repeated requests to pose for photographers, telling them: "I'd better not, I don't want to make Natalie jealous." Just like his character Ross in Friends, David is clearly a nice guy. But nice guys, they say, come last. Just ask Natalie."