Actors Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson have finally addressed rumours they are dating – although the real truth may not be any closer.
The pair, who are on the promotional trail for the upcoming remake of The Naked Gun, have set online tongues wagging about a possible romance with their rapport in front of the cameras.
At the New York City premiere of the movie on Monday (local time), Neeson, 73, kept his arm firmly around the waist of 58-year-old Anderson as they posed with their respective sons on the red carpet.
Anderson further fuelled the rumours by sharing a collection of pictures from the premiere, including some with Neeson.
Among the photos of the former Baywatch star with sons Brandon, 29, and Dylan, 27, was one from her hotel room and a cute pic of her and Neeson gazing at each other.
“A beautiful evening at the NYC Naked Gun premiere … thank you to everyone who came out to laugh with us … love is in the air,” Anderson wrote.
Neeson’s sons Micheál, 30, and Daniel, 28, were also in New York for the event.
A week earlier, at the film’s British UK premiere, Anderson was spotted leaning up to give Neeson a kiss on the cheek.
On Tuesday, US Today Show co-host Craig Melvin asked them directly: “There’s clearly chemistry on display throughout this film, are you two an item?”
Both appeared shocked, before Anderson said: “What? I don’t understand the question.”
Neeson added: “I had never met Pamela before, we met on set and we have a lovely budding chemistry as two actors.
“It was like, ‘Oh this is nice, let’s not mould this, let’s just let it breathe’ and that’s what we did.”
Melvin tried again.
“That’s what we’re doing now, we’re watching the beginning of a breathing of a budding relationship?” he said, to which both Anderson and Neeson laughed.
Earlier in the segment, Melvin had thrown to to a staged clip of Anderson and Neeson acting out a passionate kiss before appearing shocked to see cameras. Melvin suggested it was “proof” of a romance.
“My goodness, nothing is sacred,” Anderson quipped.
People magazine claims to have confirmed the rumours, quoting a source on Tuesday.
“It’s a budding romance in the early stages,” they said.
“It’s sincere, and it’s clear they’re smitten with each other.”
The source said Neeson and Anderson were “enjoying each other’s company”, as they promoted the movie, which is released on Friday.
Neeson, the star of Taken, plays Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr in the upcoming reboot of the classic action comedy series. Anderson is his love interest and investigative partner Beth Davenport.
Rumours of a real-life relationship between the pair date back as far as October last year, when Neeson revealed:
“With Pamela, first off, I’m madly in love with her.”
He later clarified Anderson was “terrific to work with”.
“I can’t compliment her enough, I’ll be honest with you. No huge ego. She just comes in to do the work. She’s funny and so easy to work with,” she said.
Anderson, meanwhile, has called Neeson “the perfect gentleman”.
“He brings out the best in you… With respect, kindness and depth of experience, it was an absolute honour to work with him,” she said.
Anderson has been married five times, including to Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, who is the father of her sons.
Neeson has largely avoided the dating scene since the death of his wife, actress Natasha Richardson in 2009. She died aged 45, after suffering an epidural haematoma during a skiing lesson in Quebec, Canada.
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