ALLY McBEAL star PORTIA de ROSSI has fallen for HUGH GRANT - and wants him to join the hit TV show.

The pair first met when they co-starred in the 1994 movie SIRENS, and according to pals, de Rossi's been desperate to get Grant to join her on Ally since the pair hooked up at the GOLDEN GLOBES (21JAN01).

A friend of de Rossi says, "They're really hot for each other. At the party the other night, the couldn't keep their hands off each other, and Portia can't stop talking about him. The pal adds that de Rossi is urging Ally producers to make Grant a regular playing a wealthy client that her character, NELLE PORTER, falls in love with. The friend adds, "The real reason she wants Hugh on Ally is to be near him. Having him join the cast means he'd have to move to Los Angeles from London."

Friends say de Rossi "lit up like a Christmas tree" at the recent awards ceremony when she caught sight of Grant, who split from girlfriend ELIZABETH HURLEY last year after 13 years together. A pal adds, "They kissed and started talking like there was nobody else in the room. "After two hours, they finally walked out of the party hand in hand and went off in a limo together." (LE/TG/KW)

Source: WENN