Cruz Dodges Bardem Questions

The Spanish star has kept quiet on the pair's relationship since they were first snapped cuddling on a beach last summer (07) - despite Bardem's No Country for Old Men co-star Woody Harrelson confirming the couple's romance earlier this year (08).

Cruz was confronted by late night host David Letterman during an appearance on his show on Wednesday (06Aug08) night, when he attempted to get the actress talking about Bardem's similarity to the characters he plays on film.

But the Volver star refused to acknowledge her romantic involvement with the actor, snapping: "That's very hard to answer because I don't even ask myself when I'm preparing a character... So if I don't dare to compare myself with the character, I wouldn't do it with somebody else."

She then quipped: "How do you like that for an answer? You can ask me about (Vicky Cristina Barcelona co-star) Scarlett (Johansson)."

But Cruz did offer some praise for Bardem before leaving the stage, adding: "He's one of the most brilliant actors in the world."