HUGH GRANT - GRANT AND HURLEY'S COMPANY IN TROUBLE?

HUGH GRANT and ELIZABETH HURLEY's movie company is rumoured to be closing down - because it hasn't made a film in five years.

The former lovers set up SIMIAN FILMS in 1994 and went on to make EXTREME MEASURES and MICKEY BLUE EYES - both starring Grant and produced by HURLEY - in 1996 and 1999 respectively.

A number of films were in the pipeline when the couple split in 2000, but none of the projects materialised.

The pair have kept the company running, but its turnover halved between 2002 and 2003, falling from $867,255 (GBP468,649) to $479,263 (GBP258,990) - prompting speculation Grant and Hurley may wind up the firm.

A spokesperson for Simian, however, insists, "Hugh and Elizabeth closed down the company's US office in 2002, but the office in London remains unchanged.

"We haven't got any projects in the pipeline, but we continue to employ four staff."