Mischa Barton plays down lesbian kiss

Mischa Barton has played down recent photographs showing her in a lip-lock with another girl.

Earlier this week, the former OC star was snapped kissing a female friend outside a Paris nightclub while celebrating her 23rd birthday.

Writing on her official blog, the actress insisted that the kiss had been "purely platonic", saying: "We were joking around and it was taken out of context.

"The anonymous female I was photographed with is actually my close friend Irina. Irina works as a model in Paris and since meeting a few months ago we have been spending a lot of time together.

"We share a lot of the same interests and I really enjoy her company. I guess you can say she's become my Paris partner in crime!"

However, Barton hinted at a blossoming romance with an unnamed individual, adding: "I haven't switched teams. In fact, I have someone else that is keeping me occupied at the moment."

The actress is rumoured to be dating The Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard.