Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson step out as a couple

Herald online

3 May, 2011 12:45 AM5 mins to read

Opinion by

For months

Scarlett Johansson

and

Sean Penn

have denied any romantic involvement, but the odd couple will have a hard time explaining this one.

Penn, 50, and Johansson, 26, have repeatedly denied rumours they're an item since they were linked following her divorce from

Ryan Reynolds

in December last year.

But the pair were

snapped holding hands

after a star-studded event in Washington on Saturday - a surefire sign that these two are anything but platonic (un-arch that cynical eyebrow, there's more goss on their romantic shenanigans below).

The couple were attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner after-party in Washington, DC, and were snapped leaving in the early hours - Johansson, debuting her newly-dyed red locks, with Penn's suit jacked draped over her shoulders.

Earlier in the evening inside the event, ScarJo and Penn (ScarPenn?) were engrossed in an "intense" makeout session,

reports UsWeekly

"It happened right as the main course of the dinner was being put on the table," an eyewitness tells the website, adding that Johansson was sitting on Penn's lap throughout.

The pair then left the event for an hour, with Penn returning

with his tie askew

. Quite the scandal. It was a smoke break, I'm told.

And it didn't end there.

In keeping with the PDA theme, the pair scuttled off into a courtyard for another bout of lip-locking.

"Scarlett was pawing at Sean, holding on to his hip while he was smoking. She gave him a short kiss," says a source.

"But then they took a walk some 30 feet away, broke off from the group and kissed some more."

The pair later separated and mingled with other guests, including President

Barack Obama

Donald Trump

, actress

Mila Kunis

David

and

Patricia Arquette

Anna Paquin

and husband

Stephen Moyer

"Around 1am, Sean showed up and he and Scarlett were immediately side by side for the rest of the night," says another source.

"When they were walking out the door, Sean stopped her, took off his jacket and put it on her shoulders, saying, 'It's cold out there.' They then grabbed hands and walked out before 3am."

Oh, game on!

This is the second time the pair have been spotted being frisky. In early March they were papped enjoying a cosy lunch together at a restaurant in Los Angeles.

Johansson was spotted

resting her foot

on Penn's lap during a flirty lunch at Cuban restaurant Versailles.

Feet well and truly under the table, as they say.

Later that month it was rumoured that Johansson had a bun in the oven.

Johansson was snapped jogging with Penn near his Malibu, California home, sporting

what some speculated to be a baby bump

The rumour was quickly quashed by Johansson's rep.

"Scarlett is not pregnant. She's outside running and it's simply the placement of her shirt that is misleading," the rep said at the time.

"She's been training for

The Avengers

for over four months and is in the best shape of her life."

Wills and Kate heading to Hollywood?

That's the word according to royal family biographer

Andrew Morton

The author claims that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be heading to Hollywood for a two-day visit in late June or early July - as part of their first overseas trip as newlyweds.

"Royal aides have pencilled in a two day visit to Hollywood at the end of their tour of Canada which takes place in late June and early July,"

reports Morton

on his website.

"At this stage details are sketchy - the royal honeymoon was cancelled at short notice - but early July is the date that aides are talking about."

David

and

Victoria Beckham

will also figure in the royal visit.

"It looks likely that David and Victoria Beckham, who were guests at the royal wedding on Friday, would be involved," adds Morton. "They have lived in Hollywood ever since David transferred to the LA Galaxy. Certainly their palatial Bel Air home would be fit to entertain a future king and queen."

Before heading to Hollywood, the couple will hit Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Alberta and North West Territories, claims Morton.

Needless to say, Morton's report remains a work of fiction as it stands. There's been nary a word from the Palace.

Stay tuned...

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