Love Actually star Bill Nighy stepped out with his partner of 27 years Diane Quick last night, a week after announcing their separation.

The pair dined together at Scotts restaurant in London's Mayfair, Nighy's hands wrapped around his long-term love they left the popular celebrity haunt.

Miss Quick, 61, who is credited with saving Nighy from alcoholism when he was a little-known theatre actor, moved out of their £1.7million home in London earlier this month.

Together again: Bill Nighy and Diane Quick at Scotts restaurant in London's Mayfair last night

The pressures of his demanding work schedule were thought to be to blame.

However, the couple's public outing has prompted speculation a reconciliation is on the cards.

Nighy, 58, found fame in 2003, playing the ageing singer Billy Mack in the film Love Actually, in which Keira Knightley and Hugh Grant also appeared.

Since then, he has been inundated with film work including roles in the Pirates Of The Caribbean and The Girl In The Cafe.

The actor has a reputation for being workaholic and has spent increasing amounts of time filming away from home, sometimes abroad. In 2006, he spent six months working on roles based in Los Angeles and New Zealand.

And at the start of last year, rumours that the relationship was in trouble began circulating.

In a statement, the couple said: 'Bill and Diana separated amicably. They remain great friends.' They denied that a third party was involved in the demise of their relationship.

Nighy met Miss Quick while performing at the National Theatre, in 1981.

They never married, but she has described him as her 'de facto husband' or POSSLQ - Person of the Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters.