Witherspoon defends Zellweger over photos furore

Reese Witherspoon has branded Renee Zellweger's critics "cruel and rude."

The 38-year-old actress - who has reportedly been offered £20 million to replace the 45-year-old actress in the next installment of 'Bridget Jones' Diary' - admits she was horrified by the reaction Renee received after she displayed an astonishingly different look at ELLE's 21st annual Women In Hollywood Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles last month, sparking rumours she underwent extensive cosmetic surgery.