'Heroes' co-stars confirm dating rumours

Milo Ventimiglia has confirmed that he is dating Heroes co-star Hayden Panettiere.

The couple have repeatedly denied rumours that they are more than friends, with fellow cast member James Kyson Lee also speaking out to dismiss the speculation in September.

However, Ventimiglia reportedly delivered a toast to Panettiere at a pre-Christmas party for the show in Los Angeles, telling colleagues that they were in a relationship.

An onlooker told In Touch Weekly: "He called her his girlfriend and said that he loved her."

The pair, who play Peter Petrelli and Claire Bennet in the hit NBC drama, spent the rest of the party holding hands.