Actress Hayden Panettiere has sparked rumours of a reconciliation with her boxer ex-boyfriend Wladimir Klitschko after they were photographed holding hands on Monday (18Feb13).

The 23-year-old Nashville star began dating the Ukrainian champion, 36, in 2009 but they called off their relationship in 2011.

However, the pair has now sent gossips into a spin after they were spotted on an apparent date at the Beach Taco Shack in Hollywood, Florida, earlier this week (18Feb13).

In photos obtained by Tmz.com, Panettiere cuddles up to Klitschko on a couch and smiles as he wraps his arm around her.

Panettiere insisted she and Klitschko remained "close friends" after the split, and she went on to date American football ace Scotty MCKnight.