A top plastic surgeon has suggested that Renee Zellweger has had a vast amount of work done to her face.

The 45-year-old shocked her fans when she emerged on Monday evening looking a far cry from the pretty blonde and fresh-faced Bridget Jones – the character she is best known for playing.

And it seems the actress may have had a little helping hand to achieve her drastic new look.

According to Professor Dr. Fuat Yuksel, a surgeon from Longevita “it's apparent that she has undergone a number of subtle cosmetic procedures to change the appearance of her face.”

He told Mirror Celebs: “Renee has undergone some facial procedures to contour the shape of her face including, fillers around her nasolabial folds and cheeks to give her face a fuller appearance, plus botox around the brow area to tighten her skin and make it appear more youthful.”

However he believes Renee has done even more than that, he continued: “The most significant procedure appears to be a blepharoplasty (eye bag removal and lid reduction) which has opened up her eyes and face dramatically.”

He added: “In her youth, Renee had heavier lids which after time may cause a ‘droopy’ or ’tired appearance' but in more recent images it's clear she's had some skin and or fat removed which has opened up her eyes."

Explaining why people opt to have the surgery, the surgeon explained: “As we grow older, the skin around the eyes loses its elasticity and our muscles slacken. For the eyelids this results in an accumulation of loose skin which collects as folds in the upper lids and forms deepening creases in the lower lids.”

A spokesperson for Renee has been contacted for comment.