TWILIGHT CO-STARS Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have wearily denied tabloid reports that the couple are embroiled in an off-screen romance.

Pattinson, who became an overnight heart-throb after starring in last year’s movie adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s vampire romance novel, told Vanity Fair in its latest edition that the co-stars were not an item.

“It doesn’t make any difference what you say (to the tabloids),” Pattinson said. “I’ve literally been across the country (from Kristen), and it’s like ‘Oh, they were on secret dates!’ It’s like ‘Where?’ I can’t get out of my hotel room!”

Stewart meanwhile offered a withering dismissal of the reports. “It’s so retarded,” she told the magazine. “We’re characters in this comic book.”

Twilight was one of the biggest hits of 2008, grossing nearly 400 million dollars worldwide. The next film in the franchise, New Moon, is due for release in North America on November 20.