Hugh Grant romanced the mother of his child at a Chinese restaurant where she worked.

Pretty receptionist Tinglan Hong, 32, was known as Tin Tin by staff and entertained diners by singing on the karaoke.

She was born and brought up in China and dated the London restaurant and takeaway’s owner Marco Yu, 60, before falling for the upper-crust English actor’s charms.

The boss and staff were shocked when Tinglan announced she was pregnant with Hugh’s baby earlier this year.

Marco told the Sunday Mirror yesterday: “Tin Tin worked here for seven years and we were good friends. She’s a nice girl and a good worker. Everybody liked her. She comes from a good family and has a masters degree in travel and ­tourism so is very bright.

“I haven’t seen her since she went on ­maternity leave but I wish her the best of luck. I have no idea if she will come back to work. The ­company is still paying her maternity pay but there’s a job for her if she wants it.”

One regular at the ­Bayee Village restaurant in ­Wimbledon, South London, ­explained: “Hugh often visited the place. He’s a big Fulham Football Club fan and the players used to come in a lot too.

“It would have been impossible not to notice Tin Tin. She’s always smiley, friendly and one of those people that everyone just likes.”

Hugh, 51, worth £40million after hits like Notting Hill and Love Actually, had been seen kissing Tinglan at a pub in London. And they were photographed in April at a cocktail bar, though pregnant Tinglan was not drinking. They appeared awkward together and in deep conversation.

He was not present at the birth of his daughter, whose name has not been announced, six weeks ago but did visit soon after.

He had already moved Tinglan into a £1.2m property near his £3m home in Fulham. The actor’s spokesman said this week the relationship was a ­“fleeting” affair.