Michelle Williams 'clings to Ledger's presence inside daughter'

Melbourne, May 24 : In her first public statement after Heath Ledger's death, his ex-flame, Michelle Williams expressed her heartbreak and described her seeing the late actor's spirit surviving in their daughter.

Ledger and Williams began dating while filming 'Brokeback Mountain', and in October 2005 their daughter Matilda Rose was born.

"I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father," The Daily Telegraph quoted her, as saying.

"All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day," she said.

She added: "His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time, and we know that he is with us still.

"She will be brought up in the best memories of him."

Currently the 'Dawson's Creek' star is promoting her new film "Synecdoche New York" at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film is set around a woman's adventures after she breaks down and faces a series of challenges while driving with her dog Lucy to Alaska.

ANI