He's back! Mark Darcy finally reunites with a very pregnant Bridget Jones as Colin Firth and Renee Zellweger film third instalment

By Becky Freeth for MailOnline

Published: 12:00 EST, 8 October 2015 | Updated: 13:31 EST, 8 October 2015

It's the moment that Bridget Jones fans have been waiting for - the return of Mark Darcy.

Colin Firth reunited with his old counterpart Renee Zellweger on Thursday afternoon as he was spotted filming for the first time on their third movie, Bridget Jones' Baby.

The handsome British actor was straight back into character looking dapper in a sharp black suit as a very pregnant Bridget in Islington, north London.  

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He's back: Colin Firth was spotted for the first time on the set of Bridget Jones's Body on Thursday afternoon in London as he reprised his role as Mark Darcy

The actor was without his signature bold framed spectacles and had new grey flecks to his hair that only served to emphasise the 14-year gap since the last film.

He reprises his role as Bridget's love interest Mr Darcy, with whom she was engaged to be married to at the end of The Edge Of Reason.

Fans of the franchise may not be pleased to hear that the star is not wearing a wedding ring in the photos, nevertheless.

Meanwhile Bridget is also noticeably with baby ahead of the new diary adventures.

Renee was drawing attention to her faux bump in a pair of maternity dungarees that hugged her pregnancy shape. 

Mit bebe: Renee Zellweger also returned to filming, looking heavily pregnant as Bridget herself

Heavily pregnant: Bridget is expected to become a mother in the third installment, a departure from the book Mad About The Boy in which she's a mother of two

Looking sharp: Colin was back in character, looking suitably sharp in a black suit

Making a dash for it: Mark sprinted into a meeting it seemed

Sharp: It was more like a scene from the Kingsman with Colin looking sharp in black tailoring

And the expectant mum was also hugging her pregnancy shape with protective arms wrapped around her tummy when she was spotted on the streets of London on Thursday.

She looked youthful with a side plait in her hair, wearing a checkered shirt beneath her denim overalls and trainers.

But the woman that Mark appeared to be getting close to on set was evidently not Bridget Jones.

The actor was captured hugging and looking adoringly at another woman outside a house, while he and Bridget never seemed to run lines together in the scenes. 

That's not Bridget! Fans of the franchise will know that Mark and Bridget were together at the end of The Edge Of Reason

Another woman: The actor was seen hugging a new female character at a London home

Kisses for the Mrs? Bridget may be pregnant but we're not to make assumptions about the plot in the third film

Fans of the third book by Helen Fielding, Mad About The Boy, may have feared that the brooding suit-wearing hero of the trilogy may not appear because his character was killed off.

But the third film is said to have been written around old columns by the author and not based on the novel.

Diary newcomer Patrick Dempsey, who confirmed inclusion last week, hinted at Colin's return last week when he described what a pleasure it had been to work with Colin and Renee. 

All alone: The famous spinster wasn't seen running lines with Mark Darcy himself

A ok! Bridget gave a confident thumbs up, an indication that things are just swell for Bridge

Soon to be mother: Bridget appeared to check up on her expectant baby

It was a firm maybe from Colin in 2014 who hoped that there was a good storyline in it, explaining to The Independent: 'It would have to have somewhere to go. 

'Back at the time, I said that a third one should only happen if we were telling a story about having moved into a different generation when we were all beginning to deteriorate a little bit. 

He concluded by saying: 'I think we might be ready for that moment!'

Into character: She chatted to one of the crew members as they filmed in a London park

It's the hormones! The star seemed to act emotional as they filmed scenes

Yummy mummy: Bridget looked on top form in a suitably stylish ensemble

Hugh Grant has also revealed that he will not be rejoining the cast as Bridget's other man Daniel Cleaver.

Film-goers can expect to see Bridget, 14 years on, as she prepares for life her 40s and evidently motherhood.

Bridget Jones' Diary director Sharon Maguire is said to have penned the screenplay with One Day author David Nicholls.

Comfy: She dressed comfortably, while Mark was looking sharp

Ready to make a movie: Storylines for the third instalment have been very kept secretive

Losing sleep? We're not yet sure what her relationship status will be in the next film

Back in action: Renee seemed to be pleased with being back on the set

It's Mark: The dapper gent is the one that Bridget Jones fans will have been waiting to see

Where's Bridget? Renee and Colin were never seen filming together

Adoring look: Mark might have a new woman, if the new shots are anything to go by

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