Woody Allen has insisted that Scarlett Johansson, whom he has cast in three of his recent films, is not his "muse".

The 71-year-old director cast Johansson for lead parts in movies Match Point, Scoop and Midnight in Barcelona.

But Allen claims that Johansson is nothing compared to his former lover and star of his films, Diane Keaton.

He said: "I'm grateful when they call her (Johansson) my muse, but it isn't true. With Diane Keaton it was different. We made eight or nine movies together and had a special connection.

"But I like working with Scarlett".