Russell Brand interested in dating Zooey Deschanel?

Russell Brand is interested in dating Zooey Deschanel, according to reports.

The comedian, who filed for divorce from his singer wife Katy Perry at the end of last year, is said to want to embark on a romance with the New Girl actress, who split from husband Ben Gibbard at around the same time.

Brand has reportedly already been sending Deschanel "flirty" texts, and apparently thinks that the pair would get on well together.

An insider told OK: "Russell has had his eye on Zooey for a long time. And he's been sending funny, flirty texts to see if they can get together.

"He thinks she's hysterically funny and cute, too. He loves her quirky sense of humour, and thinks they'd be great together both on-and off-screen. There's a real spark there."

Perry was recently reported to have been comforted by ex-boyfriend and Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy following the breakdown of her marriage.