The British actress and model, Elizabeth Hurley, has she is “saddened beyond belief” that her one-time American lover, Steve Bing, by whom she had a son following a brief affair between 2000 and 2002, had jumped to his death from his 27th floor apartment in Los Angeles.

Bing was apparently suffering from depression because of a lack of human contact during lockdown.

When Hurley became pregnant during her fling with Bing, he strenuously denied paternity because he claimed the couple had not been in an “exclusive relationship”.

But a DNA test proved he was the father although Hurley then announced she did not want any money from Bing and that she would bring up their child as a single mother.

Mary, Bing’s sister, claimed in a Vanity Fair article that he had been “snookered” into becoming a father after wooing Hurley with private jets, Rolex watches, sapphire and diamond rings and all-expenses paid trips to New York and Europe.

The same article quoted friends of Bing who claimed that Hurley had been on the pill while they were sleeping together, and that antibiotics had stopped it from working.

The magazine reported that Bing had urged her to get an abortion followed by therapy, which she declined.

On Monday, Hurley, 55, claimed she had reconciled with Bing, also 55: “I am saddened beyond belief that my ex Steve is no longer with us. It is a terrible end. Our time together was very happy and I’m posting these pictures because although we went through some tough times, it’s the good, wonderful memories of a sweet, kind man that matter.

“In the past year we had become close again. We last spoke on our son’s 18th birthday. This is devastating news and I thank everyone for their lovely messages.”

She shared a gallery of photographs from the past of herself with Bing as a happy couple, presumably to deflect possible criticism that she could have done more to prevent his tragic end.

Although Hurley had said she wanted no financial support from Bing, he paid $100,000 a year into a trust fund for Damian, now 18, who also commented on the loss of his absent father: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that has reached out following the devastating news.

“I’m trying to reply to as many of you as I can, but please know I will always remember your kindness. This is a very strange and confusing time and I’m immensely grateful to be surrounded by my phenomenal family and friends.”

Back in 1998 Bing had another contested paternity when he had a daughter Kira Kerkorian with the former professional tennis player Lisa Bonder.

Her ex-husband MGM billionaire Kirk Kerkorian even had to hire a private detective to acquire a sample of Bing’s DNA as evidence.

Bing, who inherited $600m on his 18th birthday from his real estate developer grandfather, dabbled in Hollywood movies. He co-wrote the 2003 comedy Kangaroo Jack while reportedly investing $80m in the 2004 animated film The Polar Express.

The IMDB website lists him as a producer on films including the Get Carter remake from 2000, starring Sylvester Stallone, and Shine

A Light, Martin Scorsese’s 2008 documentary about The Rolling Stones.

Bing was the founder of Shangri-La Entertainment, an organisation with interests in property, construction, entertainment and music.

Bing was said to be worth $590m at the time of his death.

As well as his work in Hollywood, Bing also donated money to the Democratic Party. He funded Bill Clinton, who issued a statement:

“I loved Steve Bing very much. He had a big heart, and he was willing to do anything he could for the people and causes he believed in. I will miss him and his enthusiasm more than I can say, and I hope he’s finally found peace.”