Hogan ex-wife: 'Leave Paul alone'

Paul Hogan's ex-wife has jumped to his defence.

The Australian actor, who left Noelene 20 years ago to be with his Crocodile Dundee co-star Linda Kozlowski, was recently grounded in Australia because of his ongoing dispute with the Australian Taxation Office.

Noelene told Woman's Day magazine: "Just leave him alone, he put Australia on the map. I hope he's okay. As an Aussie, I'm very proud of him."

Noelene and Kozlowski are believed to have put their two decade-long feud behind them out of solidarity for Paul.