Pitt and Jolie co-star in the upcoming Mr and Mrs Smith

A story about Pitt and his Mr and Mrs Smith co-star appears in the latest edition of magazine Us Weekly.

Us Weekly quotes employees of a California hotel who claim they saw the two being affectionate during a recent stay at the resort.

But Pitt's publicist, Cindy Guagenti, denied the story in a statement aired on US TV show Access Hollywood.

Tabloid speculation

Actress Jennifer Aniston, who married Pitt in July 2000, cited irreconcilable differences when she applied for a divorce last month. The couple announced their separation in a joint statement in January.

Tabloids have speculated for months about a romance between Pitt, 41, and 29-year-old Jolie.

Pitt and Aniston married in July 2000

But the statement said: "This particular story is completely untrue.

"Because these tabloids are making so much money... they go to great lengths to corroborate their stories, whether they are true or not."

Us Weekly said they were standing by their story, which includes a spokesperson for Pitt denying the claims and stating that the two actors stayed at opposite ends of the hotel.

The magazine said: "Pitt has long denied stories involving his personal life, beginning with reports of trouble in his marriage to Jennifer Aniston prior to the separation.

"Multiple sources both on and off the record confirmed Pitt and Jolie were physically affectionate in public areas of the resort where they were staying."