British actor PAUL BETTANY has gone public with a family tragedy in an effort to stop the media commenting on his wife JENNIFER CONNELLY's weightloss.

Tabloids have started speculating about the Oscar-winning actress' skinny frame, but her husband insists it's all down to grief, following the sudden death of her beloved father.

The actor - who starred in the Da Vinci Code - says he's tired of his other half's weight being scrutinized by the media and decided to reveal the tragedy.

He said: "I will tell you... My wife just lost her father."