Liz Hurley has admitted she is getting married to her long term boyfriend - and plans to have a child with him

In an interview with Italian magazine Vanity Fair, the 41-year-old actress reveals that a wedding date has been decided despite recent denials that any nuptials between her and Arun Nayar were planned.

She told the magazine: "I cannot reveal to you the exact date (of the wedding) but it is very close. We are even thinking of having a child."

The mother-of-one describes the moment she met the tycoon as a "lightning bolt" and added: "We were introduced through friends. He had just separated and I was just getting over my pregnancy.

"The previous months I had turned into an elephant and these friends were always inviting me out to dinner.

"One night when I felt a lot better I said: 'Guys - I can't keep coming out with you two.'

"They knew Arun and they knew he was passing through London so they introduced us - we hit it off straight away."

Hurley tells how she had given up acting to spend more time with her son Damian, four, by US billionaire Steve Bing.

She said: "I can't imagine being away from him for a long period or dragging him here there and everywhere."

When asked how married life would suit her, she said: "I'll let you know when I get married. I was with Hugh Grant for 13 years and we were like husband and wife so I don't think there will be any great difference."

She also spoke of Grant's infamous encounter with a Hollywood prostitute.

She said: "Look, in general I am not very tolerant. My friends call me 'The Hanging Judge' but with Hugh it was different.

"If you truly love someone then you forgive them and that's it - and I really loved him. Even now even though we hardly see each other I still like him enormously."