Gillian Anderson has reportedly asked Chris Martin out on a date.

The 46-year-old actress - who's best known for her starring role as agent Dana Scully in the iconic sci-fi drama 'The X-Files' - has a soft spot for her long-time friend Chris and following the 38-year-old Coldplay frontman's break-up from actress wife Gwyneth Paltrow in 2014, Gillian has made her move.

A source told The Sun newspaper: ''They're an unlikely combination but there's definitely chemistry between them.

''Chris has always been keen to keep his personal life private so, as expected, the blossoming romance is very low-key.

''His pals are intrigued to see if it turns into a bigger deal.''

However, the mother-of-three - who has been married twice before, to Clyde Klotz from 1994 until 1997 and to Julian Ozanne from 2004 until 2006 - recently claimed she has no interest in dating younger men.

She explained: ''To me, a married man is simply a no go.

''I'm not interested in younger men either.

''I suppose I might ask a man out, but I believe at this stage of my life it's better not to manipulate the situation. If it happens, it happens.

''What I am sure about is that I want my next relationship to be 'The One'.''

Meanwhile, Chris has been romantically linked to Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence over the last months, with the pair recently spotted enjoying a date in New York's Central Park.