Diane Keaton has hailed Woody Allen a ''miracle''.

The 69-year-old actress and the famous director, 79, starred together in the 1977 hit movie 'Annie Hall' - about a comedian (Woody) and out-of-work singer (Diane) who fall in and out of love - nearly three decades ago and Diane was stunned to hear that her former lover and friend was working on yet another star-studded film.

She said: ''It's not possible!

''He's really astonishing. He's one of the most astonishing people in showbusiness, ever. He's had more power over his movies than anyone for a longer amount of time than anyone. He's a miracle.''

Woody has won four Oscars and nine BAFTAs in his career spanning 50 years and is yet to slow down - having drafted Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone for his latest movie release 'Irrational Man' and Bruce Willis, Blake Lively and Kristen Stewart for his new, currently untitled, picture that starts filming in August.

Diane told The Independent newspaper: ''I used to say to him that he was the cockroach you couldn't kill! This guy is stronger than you think. Most people look at him and think, 'Oh, he's Woody Allen, he's shy.' He's a rock!''