Macpherson denies drug smuggler romance

Elle Macpherson has denied reports that she is dating a convicted drug smuggler.

The 44-year-old supermodel had been snapped alongside Brian Burgess, who spent four years behind bars after attempting to smuggle cocaine into Australia.

Burgess is a British citizen and has since relocated to England, where he is now head of removal company Aussie Man & Van.

Macpherson ruled out speculation that she is romantically involved with the 56-year-old, insisting that he was "just a mate".

"He's not my boyfriend," she told The Courier-Mail. "I don't have a boyfriend."