'Bachelor' Jake hits back at gay claims

Former Bachelor star Jake Pavelka has dismissed speculation that he is gay.

The airline pilot was the subject of homosexual rumours following his split from fiancée Vienna Girardi in June, after she accused him of refusing to be "intimate" with her during their relationship.

Speaking on ABC's The View, he said: "There was a lack of intimacy [with Vienna] because our problems were so heavy. I can't separate love and intimacy - I guess that's the Southern guy in me - and apparently that makes me gay."

Co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck then asked if he was gay, prompting him to reply: "It's not true, I'm not. One of my best friends is gay. I can't see how someone can look at you and not be completely attracted."

Sherri Shepherd then joked that Hasselbeck is married, to which Pavelka said: "That doesn't make you any less attractive!"

Pavelka also revealed that he and Girardi have not spoken to each other for over a month.