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Wayne and O'Hara

ON-SCREEN they were known for falling in love and now a new book has claimed that behind the scenes, film stars John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara had an affair.

The biography John Wayne: The Life and Legend alleged the two Hollywood stars were involved in a "long" affair with one another during his marriage to his third wife.

Despite Dublin actress O'Hara always denying a romantic link with Wayne, one of his close friends has told author Scott Eyman that the famous Western actor was "truly in love with that woman".

Wayne and O'Hara starred in five films together, but it was their roles in the iconic 1952 movie The Quiet Man that they are best remembered.

The romantic drama, which was set in the west of Ireland, won Oscars for best director and best cinematography.

John Wayne starred as Sean Thornton, an Irish American boxer who returns to Ireland from an America he feels is too much in love with the dollar and seeks to rediscover the simple life his parents had.

O'Hara played his love interest, Mary Kate Danaher.

Away from the movie screen and Wayne - who starred in 169 movies - was married three times, but had difficulty remaining faithful.

Eyman's book alleges that Wayne had a three-year affair with Marlene Dietrich, but that he also enjoyed a romance with Maureen O'Hara, which lasted even longer.

The book claims the two stars would meet at Wayne's ranch in Arizona.

One of Wayne's friends has told author that he didn't marry O'Hara "because Maureen was strong and tough... He married women he thought he could control. Then he found out he couldn't".