It was only two weeks ago that Hayden Panettiere admitted she was no longer seeing T4 host Steve Jones, dismissing their Cannes fling as ‘a bit of fun’. But it appears the Welsh TV presenter, 32, has convinced the Heroes actress, 19, to give their burgeoning relationship another try after flying to Los Angeles to visit her. The handsome couple were spotted kissing and cuddling as they dined with friends at trendy Studio City eaterie Firefly on Friday night.
After spending a blissful week together in London and Cannes in May, the couple appeared to go their separate ways last month, with Hayden returning to Hollywood and Steve remaining in Britain. But it seems they are trying to make things work, despite the 5,400-mile distance and 13-year age gap. Perhaps in a demonstration things are getting serious, Hayden introduced Steve to some of her friends as they dined on California cuisine at the busy restaurant/bar. In between bites, Steve lovingly stroked Hayden’s face and legs as they chatted to the friends.
When the $270 bill arrived, the pair squabbled over who should pay, with Hayden – who clearly earns more than her new beau – finally getting out her credit card. By the end of the night, Hayden was cosied up on Steve’s lap as she signed for the bill – their first public display of affection. Hayden and Steve were first linked back in early May when they were spotted dining with Elton John’s husband David Furnish at Nobu in London. A week later, they spent several days together sunbathing on yacht on the French Riviera during the Cannes Film Festival. But by early July, it emerged the pair had reportedly ended their summer fling, with Hayden insisting she was ’single and mingling’.
She said: ‘Steve lives in London, the distance is a bit too much. Cannes was a great experience. I was on vacation and some friends were going so I decided to come along. It was fun.’ Hayden’s relationship with Steve comes five months after she split from her Heroes co-star Milo Ventimiglia, 32, after a year-long relationship.
Prior to Milo, she also dated Laguna Beach reality TV star Stephen Colletti.
