Melbourne, Dec 2 : It looks like rumours of swimming sensation Stephanie Rice and Aussie actor Lincoln Lewis being an item are premature.

Recently, the pair was spotted looking very friendly at various social events, most notably the XBox soiree during the Gold Coast Indy.

However, Lewis's manager Madonna Williams has dismissed reports of a love connection between the pair, insisting they are 'very, very close friends'.

"They definitely have a lot of respect for each other. He thinks she is terrific but as far as romance goes ... it's just not where it's going at the moment," News.com.au quoted Williams, as saying.

As for as reported sightings of the pair looking much more than just "friends" are concerned, Williams puts the PDA's down to 'Home and Away star's 'touchy-feely' nature.

"Anyone who has ever met Lincoln knows that he is a very warm and affectionate type of guy. He has a lot of female friends and he very touchy-feely but that doesn't necessarily mean he wants to jump into bed with them," she said.

"He does have a lot of interest from girls but I think it will take someone pretty extra special for him to get involved at the moment," she added.

Williams also said that even if Rice was a contender for Lewis's affections, the swim queen would first need to get the tick of approval from the actor's mum Jacqui.

"He runs all his girls past his mother - and myself," Williams said.

"I know he thinks she is a fantastic girl but just with his lifestyle at the moment, I don't think it would work," she added.

ANI