Magazine claims Hollande began affair before election

French President François Hollande faced fresh scrutiny over his affair with an actress as the magazine that broke the story published claims he started seeing her before his 2012 election.

In its latest revelations about a saga that has made headlines around the world, Closer magazine said Hollande had been introduced to Julie Gayet, 41, during campaigning, fell for her immediately, and “relations quickly became more intimate”.

The latest edition of the glossy weekly hit stands as Hollande’s office confirmed that he had visited his official partner, Valerie Trierweiler, for the first time since she was hospitalised in the wake of the affair revelations.