HAYLIE DUFF - DUFF DESPERATE FOR MCDOWELL BACK

HAYLIE DUFF is desperately trying to reunite with writer/director ex-boyfriend CHARLIE MCDOWELL, less than two months after she ditched him. The pair hooked up last summer (07), but Duff - big sister to Hilary - ditched the son of Mary Steenburgen and Malcolm MCDowell in November (07). But sources claim Duff, 22, changed her mind when she heard rumours MCDowell, 24 was romancing Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere. A friend tells the National Enquirer, "She did an about face and began calling Charlie non-stop, telling him she'd made a huge mistake. At one point she even begged him: 'Please take me back.' "He told Haylie he'd moved on and wanted nothing more to do with her."