Bradley Cooper addresses ex Irina Shayk supporting him on red carpet: 'It's special'

Watch: Bradley Cooper says it's 'very special' to have Irina Shayk's support at Nightmare Alley premiere

Bradley Cooper has opened up about his ex Irina Shayk attending the premiere of his latest movie two years after they split, saying he found her support "special".

The supermodel looked incredible while posing for pictures at the event dressed in a sharp pinstripe suit with a double-breasted blazer left open to reveal a top with cutaway detailing underneath.

Her make-up was left minimal aside from a fiery, red lip which finished off the sleek look to perfection.

Meanwhile, Cooper, 46, looked dapper in a tailored black suit, with crisp white shirt and black tie, sporting some close-cropped stubble.

While the former couple did not walk the red carpet together on Wednesday night’s New York premiere of Nightmare Alley, Cooper told Entertainment Tonight that he found his ex partner's presence "very special".

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Shayk, 35, also shared pictures from the evening to Instagram.

"D nite of #nightmarealley 🖤in my @burberry @riccardotisci17 🖤💋," she wrote in the accompanying caption.

The former couple, who got together in 2015 and spit in 2019 after four years together, have maintained a friendship while raising their 4-year-old daughter, Lea.

The pair have been spotted many times spending time together with their daughter around New York, even sharing a hug, as they clearly still have a close bond.

Watch: Irina Shayk reveals the truth about Kanye West romance rumours

Shayk has previously suggested that their relationship is so amicable that she rejects the term and implications of the word 'co-parenting' when it comes to separated partners raising a child together.

"I never understood the term co-parenting," she told ELLE US. "When I’m with my daughter, I’m 100% a mother, and when she’s with her dad, he’s 100% her dad. Co-parenting is parenting."

In the same interview, Shayk goes onto refer to Cooper as an "amazing dad".

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How to stay friends with an ex

Of course it isn't possible to remain on good terms with all exes, but according to Tina Wilson, relationship expert and founder of Wingman there are many benefits of forming a friendship with an ex partner.

"There are some situations when you should never remain friends with an ex," she says. "However, if the relationship was a healthy one and there was no animosity then there are great benefits to staying friends with an ex post break-up.

"If you simply didn’t work out romantically, saying goodbye to your friendship would be a great shame, especially if you spent some great years together and they were a huge part of your life," she adds.

However, Wilson says it is important to ensure you are staying friends for the right reasons, for the benefit of your children, etc.., and not just because you hope it will lead to a rekindling of the romance.

"It can be a huge boost to your personal growth by remaining friends with your ex and you might feel part of your life has been blocked out or missing by trying to ignore it," she says.

"Staying friends shows you both have a level or maturity and no unresolved issues which can bode well for other/future relationships in your life.

"Not only can your ex help you move on they can provide insight into why your romantic relationship didn’t work out."

Read more: Louise Redknapp's kids want her to date again - but how do you get back out there after divorce?

While it is healthy to keep boundaries in your new friendship Wilson says your ex can be a good friend to catch up and socialise with.

"You can also lean on them for emotional support as they know you better than anyone".

But going from break-up to best buds isn't necessarily the easiest switch to make, so how do you make the transition?

Lucy Beresford, psychotherapist, relationship expert and broadcaster has put together some tips on forming a friendship with an ex.

- Keep in mind that this is now a friendship, not something that could slide back to being a romance.

- Be mindful of your role in why the relationship ended, so that you don’t harbour blame towards your x.

- Keep engagements light or practical to begin with, especially if you feel you are needing to be in touch only because of children.

- Whatever the circumstance of your situation, set your boundaries for your life, and respect their space and individuality and future choices.