Antonio Banderas might have moved on from his ex, Melanie Griffith, but he’s now speaking out on his feelings for her for the first time since they announced their split in June.

On the Spanish television show El Hormiguero, Banderas said he “will always love” her. The actor was promoting his film Autómata, which co-stars Griffith.

"It's been an intense year…Life goes on," he said, E! Online reports. He recently revealed he has a new girlfriend, Nicole Kimpel.

"I admire and respect Melanie first and foremost as a great actress,” he continued. “I have always said that. That's why she is in the movie. And she's also the person that I loved, that I love, and will always love."

Banderas and Griffith were married for nearly 20 years and share an 18-year-old daughter, Stella.

He told the Olive Press last month about Kimpel, a Dutch investment consultant, “We are in the process of getting to know each other. She is shy and doesn’t have anything to do with my work, which is no bad thing.”

image via INFphoto.com