BEN & JEN'S BLENDED BLISS

The famous exes have left their troubled past behind them and become good pals and co-parents - and J Lo's had a lot to do with it

- NICI DE WET

THEY'VE been through the mill once publicly he blamed her for his booze problem and she weathered many a storm as his addiction issues careered out of control.

For a while things were rough. There were loads of drunken nights on the town and plenty of women on his side; there was desperate concern on her part about the effect his behaviour might be having on their children.

At best Jennifer Garner (51) and Ben Affleck (51) were civil for the sake of the kids - but things are very different these days. They've managed to find a way back together as loving co-parents and even good friends.

Case in point: earlier this month they were seen laughing and chatting at their 11-year-old son Sam's basketball game in Los Angeles.

Ben, who often seems hard-pressed to crack a smile, flashed a grin as he and Jen chatted animatedly, at times leaning in close to hear what she was saying.

A few days before they were seen strolling around Santa Monica, coffee in hand and deep in conversation.

And recently Jen was snapped giving Ben an affectionate hug from the back seat of the car after he gave her and daughter Seraphina (14) a lift.

In fact, things have been looking so cosy between the exes there has even been a hint of gossip that perhaps they're a touch more than friends - and that Jennifer Lopez's nose might be a little out of joint.

But there's no truth in it, insiders say. J Lo (54), who wed Ben in July last year, has been credited with helping the exes find each other and for working hard to blend their families.