The Slumdog Millionaire director was pictured holding hands and sharing a kiss with the actress of Sin City fame – who, at 33, is 22 years younger than 55-year-old Boyle - as they enjoyed the sunshine on Brighton seafront on the South Coast of England.

The pair met on the set of Boyle’s latest movie Trance - in which Dawson stars – and they have been smitten with one another ever since.

The screen beauty even attended the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony last week, which the filmmaker masterminded and has won universal acclaim for.

Dawson took to her Twitter account to share her joy about attending the spectacular event with her followers.

She wrote: "What an amazing honour to witness the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics!"

Oscar winner Boyle has three children with his ex-girlfriend Gail Stevens – who he broke up with in 2002 after being with her for 20 years.

Dawson previously dated Sex and the City actor Jason Lewis and French DJ Mathieu Schreyer but she split from the musician last year blaming their busy work schedules for the break-up.

Her friend said: "They were always in separate places because of their careers."