Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal come out as a couple during a romantic trip to Rome

The pair met on set of the upcoming movie Rendition and have now taken their romance public - they were spotted holding hands and canoodling during a romantic trip to Rome.

Witherspoon, 31, whose divorce from former husband Ryan Phillippe was finalised this month, had previously denied a romance with the Brokeback Mountain star.

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Jake and Reese hug it out during their first public outing as a couple

While the couple have tried to keep their romance low key, Reese recently said Jake is 'great'

The pair first began dating around March this year, although they were careful to avoid being photographed together.

However, Reese, who has two children Ava, 8, and Deacon, 3, called the romance off in June, according to reports.

Now it's clear their love affair is most definitely back on.

Reese has said: "I have known Jake for years through different friends and he is just wonderful.

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Cosy: Reese rests her head on new beau Jake's shoulder during a romantic break in Rome

"He's very kind, generous and funny."

In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres this week she continued to hint at her fondness for the actor describing him as "cute" and "great".

Oscar winner Reese has made it clear she likes to be the one in control of a relationship.

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Reese's divorce from former husband Ryan Phillippe was finalised this month

She told Elle magazine last month: "[My dad and uncle] taught me that in every relationship, the person least interested in maintaining it is going to dominate it, because they'll never compromise.

"So you have to always maintain that position of least interest, and you'll always control the relationship."

Still, she insists: "I'm fun. I can be really fun."

Gyllenhaal, 26, has previously dated actress Kirsten Dunst.