ROBERT DOWNEY JR has developed a crush on his ALLY McBEAL screen girlfriend CALISTA FLOCKHART.

Downey Jr, newly released from Corcoran jail where he served 11 months of a three year sentence for drug abuse, walked straight into a job as Flockhart's love interest on the hit TV show - and friends say he's making life imitate art.

According to insiders, Downey Jr is flirting madly with Flockhart, bringing flowers and sweets to the set, joking around with her and even helping her run through her lines. But the love-struck CHAPLIN star may be setting himself up for a broken heart - she's currently dating LARRY SANDERS comic GARRY SHANDLING. (LE/TS/MCM)

Source: WENN