3am: Ifans the terrible; RHYS IN A STATE.. GIRLS THINK HE'S GREAT.

Byline: Clemmie Moodie & Danielle Lawler

HE looks like Worzel Gummidge and spends night after night stumbling between London boozers and getting into fights. But that hasn't put the ladies off Rhys Ifans.

Drowning his sorrows after splitting with Kimberly Stewart, the Welsh actor was back on the lash until the early hours of yesterday morning - and 3am witnessed it all.

We were sipping champagne at celeb hangout Cafe Royal in the West End, waiting for something to happen when - whaddya know - it did.

A tipsy Rhys, 40, stumbled into the bar with a brunette beauty.

Earlier he had performed with his band The Peth at the Royal Academy of Arts for London Fashion Week. And Rhys was clearly intent on letting his straggly hair down as he downed five brandies in a matter of minutes before showing off his Patrick Swayze-like moves on the dancefloor. But unfortunately for Rhys, his dynamite shapes eventually got the better of him. As he sat down for a rest, we asked him about his mystery girl. Rhys, who was heartbroken after being dumped by Sienna Miller earlier this year, blurted out: "I'm off blondes. Brunettes for me now. I mean look at her, she's f***ing gorgeous."

But it all went pearshaped when Rhys decided to snub his girl for a dance with a male pal.

Clearly not intent on playing second fiddle to a bloke, his female companion stormed off to the loo.

Rhys decided to follow her to the unisex toilets, but she was nowhere to be seen. After re-emerging after what felt like a very long time, Rhys remarked to the waiting queue: "Look at the size of the line, what a f***ing nightmare."

Needless to say, things kicked off as a woman shouted: "If you didn't spend so much f***ing time in the toilets doing all kinds then maybe it wouldn't be this big."

We watched as the pair embarked on a slanging match, which resulted in Rhys being dragged away by a couple of mates.

When he was eventually thrust back into the safety of the VIP area, his female friend was clearly none too pleased.

Realising his mistake, Rhys turned on the charm and the happy couple spent the rest of the night snogging in the corner before catching a cab at 2:30am.

God only knows what she sees in him. Answers on a postcard please...

CAPTION(S):

WHAT A STATE Dishevelled Rhys on yet another bender; MADE UP Rhys at the Cafe Royal last night; REMIND YOU OF ANYONE?