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Denise Richards applauded for taking in Brooke Mueller's twins

Denise Richards was applauded on talk show 'Chelsea Lately' for looking after ex-husband Charlie Sheen's twins.

During an appearance on the program on Monday night (07.01.13) host Chelsea Handler praised the 42-year-old actress for taking care of four-year-old boys Max and Bob, after their mother Brooke Mueller, who is battling drug abuse problems in rehab, lost custody of the kids.

Addressing Denise, Chelsea said, "I know you're raising his kids right now," before adding that she knew the former Bond girl couldn't talk about the situation, which prompted the actress to say, "Pretty much."

Chelsea added, "Well its really nice of you to be doing that," which prompted the studio audience to break into a round of applause.

"You used to get a really bad rap and you've turned out to be the coolest ex wife anyone can hope for," Chelsea added.

Denise - who was married to Charlie for just under three years before they split - offered to be a guardian for the boys so they could live with her and the 'Anger Management' actor's daughters, Sam, nine, and Lola, eight.

Brooke, who has been in and out of rehab since December, left the Betty Ford Center in Palm Springs, California, last month after a 30-day treatment program and is now believed to be at a clinic in Orange County that is better suited to her needs.