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.

"He called her his girlfriend and said that he loved her," an eyewitness says. Sources say that the couple spent the rest of the evening holding hands.

This is not the first time the actor is linked to his co-star. He and fellow former Gilmore Girls star Alexis Bledel dated for more than three years.

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