Friend confirms Jamie Foxx & Katie Holmes are dating

The Oscar-winning actor and the 37-year-old beauty are rumoured to have been dating for more than 12 months, and the actor's close friend has now confirmed the world's long-held suspicions.

The 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star told the Allegedly podcast: "[He's a] good friend of mine."

Claudia insisted she had never hooked up with the 'Django Unchained' actor, and then she added: "He is very happy with her [Katie]. I like that he seems very happy."

Rumours of a possible romance between the two Hollywood stars have been circulating for more than a year.

However, the duo and their representatives have consistently denied that they are anything more than just good friends.

A rep for Katie said last year, for instance: "These stories are untrue and this gossip needs stop.

"Katie is not dating anyone. She's not gushing about anyone ... She was on phone with her daughter [Suri] when she supposedly was overheard saying 'I love you.''

However, Katie and Jamie - who worked closely with her ex-husband Tom Cruise on the 2004 crime thriller 'Collateral' - were spotted together at a charity event in 2013, which first led to whispers of their romance.

Since then, the duo have rarely been seen together, yet rumours of their burgeoning love have persisted.

Katie attended Jamie's surprise birthday party in New York in December at La Bilboquet restaurant.

And shortly afterwards, the former 'Dawson's Creek' star was seen with a gold ring on her engagement finger, which served to intensify the rumours.

However, this is the first time that someone close to either of the stars has come out and publicly confirmed they are an item.