Panettiere laughs off 'Entourage' romance

Will Alexander/WENN

Hayden Panettiere has laughed off reports linking her to Entourage star Kevin Connolly.

The Heroes actress had sparked rumours of a romance with Connolly, who plays Eric Murphy in the HBO series, after the pair were spotted together at an Emmy Awards after-party earlier this month.

Speaking to Just Jared, she said: "I've known Kevin for so long.

"You can't have friends with the opposite sex. It's so funny. We're just friends."

Panettiere split from Heroes co-star Milo Ventimiglia in February and was recently linked to T4 host Steve Jones and Lindsay Lohan's ex-boyfriend Harry Morton.