Heroes stars Milo Ventimiglia and Hayden Panettiere have always been rumored to be a couple, but up until now they pair have both strenuously denied those claims. But now, the 30-year-old actor allegedly announced his love for Panettiere, who plays his niece on the hit TV series.

Reports say that Ventimiglia announced that he and 18-year-old Panettiere were dating when he toasted the actress at a pre-Christmas Water Grill party in Los Angeles. Ventigmilia had apparently told their co-stars that he was dating Panetierre and even told her he loved her.