Mel Gibson is rumoured to be the father of Jodie Foster's children

Gibson and Foster

The actor is at the centre of speculation after a report claimed the actress's sons Charles, 14, and Kit, 12, have a striking resemblance to the star who sat with them at the Golden Globe awards.

An amateur genealogist told the New York Post newspaper: "The kids look just like him but blonder."

There has been further speculation after the 'Silence of the Lambs' star - who confirmed she is gay during her acceptance speech at the awards ceremony  - praised her long-standing friend for saving her and she has previously said she'll always love him.

She told the audience: "Mel Gibson, you know you saved me too.
"He's not saintly and he's got a big mouth.

"But I knew the minute I met him that I would love him the rest of my life."

The pair first became good friends when they starred together in 'Maverick' in 1994 and Jodie has supported him through a string of personal problems.

The 50-year-old actress has reportedly promised to tell her sons who their father is when they turn 21.
There are also rumours that the actress's late friend Randy Stone could be the father.

Mel Gibson "kisses the ground" Jodie Foster walks on

Foster and Gibson in a scene from 'The Beaver'

The 57-year-old actor has praised his 'Beaver' co-star after she gave a moving "coming out" speech at the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday (13.01.13) and he "adores" her for making such a brave move.

He told People: "I kiss the ground she walks on, I adore her. I thought [her speech] was great. I love her."

Jodie received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the event for outstanding contribution to entertainment and Mel - who has previously described the actress' support during his charges of domestic violence on his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva in 2011 as "flattering" - thinks she deserved the prestigious prize for being such a down-to-earth person.

When asked why he thought Jodie had been chosen as the recipient, he replied: "Because she's real."

The 50-year-old actress - who raises children Charlie, 14, and 11-year-old Kit with her ex-partner Cydney Bernard - never publicly acknowledged her sexual preference until announcing it on stage at the event.

However, after confirming she is a lesbian, the former child star explained how being in the spotlight for so long had an effect on her actions and she felt a need to keep it "private".

She explained: "But seriously, if you had been a public figure since the time you were a toddler.

"If you had to fight for a life that felt real and honest and normal, then maybe then too you'd value privacy about all else.

"Someday in the future, people will look back and remember how beautiful it once was. I have given everything up there since the time that I was three years old and that's a reality show enough, don't you think."

Jodie Foster has been praised by a number of stars after confirming she is gay

Foster at the Golden Globe Awards

The 50-year-old actress candidly spoke about her personal life as she accepted the Cecile B. DeMille award for outstanding achievement in film at last night's Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles (13.01.13), and her Hollywood peers have shown an outpouring of support on Twitter following the speech.

Former talk show host Rosie O'Donnell - who is an out lesbian - wrote on the social networking site: "jodie foster - rather amazing speech... made me tear up - bravo Jodie (sic)".

Meanwhile, Latin singer Ricky Martin, who publicly acknowledged his sexuality for the first time in 2010, wrote: "Jody Foster On your terms. Its your time! Not before nor after. Its when it feels right! (sic)".

'Modern Family' actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson added: "Jodie Foster. You are perfection. I love you."

'Glee' actress Kristin Chenoweth was overcome by emotion watching the awards ceremony, which aired in the US last night.

She wrote: "im bawling. Jodie foster killed me. Wonderful (sic)".

Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss tweeted: "Jodie Foster is one of the most amazing actresses of all time. More than that she's one of the most amazing people."

Other stars who showed their support for the 'Panic Room' actress include Alan Cumming, Valerie Bertinelli, Nina Garcia and Gabrielle Union.

Revealing the news at the Golden Globes, Jodie - who has been acting since she was three years old - said her family and friends had known about her sexual orientation for "a thousand years".

The actress also paid tribute to former partner Cydney Bernard, with whom she raises children Charlie, 14, and 11-year-old Kit, in her acceptance speech.

Ricky Gervais joked about Jodie Foster's sexuality during the Golden Globe Awards

Ricky Gervais

The comedian - who received an avalanche of criticism when he hosted the event in 2011 after insulting several celebrities in the audience - read out a list of topics he was banned from mentioning before alluding to the 'Panic Room' star's sexual orientation with a crude joke.

He said: "The Hollywood Foreign Press have warned me that if I insult you or cause any controversy, they would invite me back next year.

"[They gave me] a list of rules, and this is real. No profanity. That's fine. I've got a huge vocabulary.

"No nudity. See, that's a shame, because I've got a huge ... vocabulary, but tiny penis. It works. I don't care. It's fine.

"No smut or innuendo. Or I'm not to libel anyone.

"And I must not mention Mel Gibson this year. Not his private life, his politics, his recent films or especially not Jodie Foster's Beaver. I haven't seen it myself. I've spoken to a lot of guys - they haven't seen it either but that doesn't mean it's not good."
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However, Jodie appeared to take it all in good humour and responded with a thumbs-up sign before clapping.

One person who didn't take too kindly to Ricky's jokes was 'W.E.' director Madonna.
He quipped: "Our next presenter is the Queen of Pop.

"No, not you Elton. She's all woman. She's always vogue, she's a Material Girl and she's just like a virgin. Please welcome Madonna."

Madonna fired back: "If I'm still a virgin Ricky, then why don't you come on do something about it? I haven't kissed a girl in a few years. On TV."

Ricky, 50, also poked fun at Justin Bieber's recent paternity scandal - where a fan accused him of fathering her baby - saying: "Justin Bieber nearly had to take a paternity test. What a waste of a test that would have been.

"No, he's not the father. The only way that he could have impregnated a girl was if he borrowed one of Martha Stewart's old turkey basters."

Celebrity break-ups also came in for a bashing with Ricky focusing on Kim Kardashian's 72-day marriage to Kris Humphries.

He said: "Arnold and Maria. J.Lo and Marc Anthony. Ashton and Demi. Kim Kardashian and some guy no one will ever remember.

"He wasn't around long. Seventy-two days - a marriage that lasted 72 days. I've sat through longer James Cameron speeches."

Ricky Gervais' best bits: