The Hurley bird dispatches the Warne: Liz keeps distance from lover Shane as she tries to keep focused on set of Gossip Girl

• But globetrotting pair are loved-up as ever afterwards

By Jody Thompson
Updated: 10:48 EDT, 28 July 2011

They've done their level best to spend as much time as possible glued to each other's sides, despite living on opposite sides of the world.

But it appears that sometimes even when together, English rose Elizabeth Hurley, 46, and Shane Warne, 41, need a little space.

The globetrotting pair are usually joined at the hip whenever their jetsetting lifestyles allow them time to get together - but it seemed Liz needed room to work on the New York set of Gossip Girl today.

Get thee behind me: Elizabeth Hurley looked less loved-up than usual with boyfriend Shane Warne on the set of Liz's new show Gossip Girl in New York City

Striding out: The Austin Powers actress seemed intent on remaining professional while working on the set

Getting warmed up: Away from her work environment where she plays a hard-nosed media mogul, Elizabeth starts loosening up again and shows us a smile

The former Austin Powers actress is playing the role of ruthless media mogul Diana Payne and will appear in a number of episodes.

But she seemed rather intent on keeping focused on her lines rather than her man while at work as she walked a good few feet in front of him.

The pair looked a little glum too - perhaps there'd been a couple of words spoken in the wings...

Then again, it appears that Liz may have just been wary of giving Shane the lurgy. 

Summer in the city: Shane was looking casual in an all blue and white outfit and Liz looked classy in pale chiffon blouse and her trademark white jeans

Sidewalk slam: A passer-by accidentally managed to bump into Shane and Liz despite a bodyguard walking in front of them

No worries: Shane soon managed to secure an apology after some split-second sledging - the cricketing practice of trying to gain an advantage with verbal insults

She wrote on her Twitter page earlier today: 'On set of Gossip Girl with streaming cold and sore throat. I blame the air conditioning. Grrrrrrrr.....'

However, they were soon back to normal and looking loved-up as ever as they left the show set and went for a walk on the streets of Manhattan - although that wasn't without incident either.

As they strolled hand-in-hand, a passer-by managed to bump into the couple - and apparently incur some of Shane's notorious sledging talent - the cricketing practice of trying to gain an advantage over an opponent with verbal insults.

No dramas: The pair were soon all smiles again on their sunny stroll

Got my eye on you: It looked like the couple's bodyguard was not letting them out of his sight afterwards 

However, the innocent businessman quickly apologised and the pair were soon on their way again on their romantic stroll, apparently accompanied by a bodyguard and a PA.

Just last week, Shane had flown with Liz from London as she visited South Africa in her role as ambassador for make-up brand Estee Lauder.

They were arm-in-arm and beaming as she led the way into the Edgar's department store in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, with her dutiful companion in tow.

Pucker up: Liz gets to grips with co-star Chace Crawford in one scene already filmed for Gossip Girl

But they're just as committed when it comes to following each other around the planet it seems, and Liz flew out to India in April to support Shane as he played with his premiere league cricket team there the Rajasthan Royals.

Following a charity function for the cosmetics company, Warne took to his Twitter page and wrote: 'Had a great time at my first Estee Lauder breast cancer charity function - a truly great cause and very well supported.. Congrats to all...'

The former unreconstructed Aussie cricketing legend then added: 'I also thought Elizabeth was outstanding in her efforts all day today. Fantastic ambassador for Estee Lauder and has been for 17 yrs xxx'

Smart couple: Liz and Shane in Johannesburg, South Africa, last week as part of her worldwide Pink Illumination Breast Awareness campaign for Estee Lauder

Shane has also revealed that he's lost even more weight on his current fitness kick - which has lead to speculation about his increasingly youthful looks.

Earlier this month, he revealed that he had lost 7kg to get down to 86kg over the last five months.

However yesterday the pleased-as-punch cricket legend wrote: '79.2 kg's this morning !!! Fitness and healthy lifestyle working.. Think last time I was this light I was 8 years old hahaha'