Elizabeth Hurley's hobby contests with Hugh Grant

Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant are taking cookery, music and language classes together.

The former couple - who dated for 13 years until 2000 and are now close friends - are incredibly competitive with one another and love tackling new skills and seeing who comes out the most accomplished.

Elizabeth said: "We are currently taking cooking, Italian and guitar lessons together and argue ferociously over who is more advanced."

And while the 45-year-old beauty - who has a nine-year-old son Damian from her relationship with Steve Bing - thinks she has the upper hand when it comes to making delicious dishes and tuneful melodies she admits Hugh beats her when it comes to learning a different tongue.

She said: "In my opinion I am streets ahead in cooking, slightly less cack-handed at the guitar but begrudgingly agree his Italian is a whisper better. I still can't say much more than 'tagliatelle' and 'cappuccino'."

Elizabeth - who recent filed for divorce from husband Arun Nayar - added that although the pair can often be seen warring with one another they always make up because they have so much fun together.

She told Hello! magazine: "I completely consider him one of my family and love spending time with him, even though we annoy each other at times.

"We rarely get through a day without fighting, but we always end up laughing."