'Heroes' stars Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia (say those names three times fast!) have finally stated the obvious by admitting that they are, in fact, dating.

Well, it's about time!

Actor Ventimiglia toasted the actress at the pre-Christmas Water Grill party in Los Angeles, telling co-stars he was in fact dating Panettiere.

An eyewitness tells In Touch Weekly magazine, "He called her his girlfriend and said that he loved her." The couple spent the rest of the party sitting together and holding hands.

H.P. is recently turned 18, while M.V. is a wee bit older at 30. They have publicly denied any romantic goings on between them for quite a while, since she broke up with 'Laguna Beach' hottie Stephen Coletti.

Labels: Hayden Panettiere, Heroes, Laguna Beach, Milo Ventimiglia