Russell Crowe and Dita Von Teese. (WENN.COM file photos)

Actor Russell Crowe has dismissed rumours suggesting he's dating burlesque beauty Dita Von Teese, insisting they are just friends.

An article in the New York Post on Monday alleged the Gladiator star had struck up a flirty friendship with Von Teese, who previously dated shock rocker Marilyn Manson, after they messaged one another via Twitter.com, and editors suggested their relationship had turned romantic, with the pair enjoying an intimate couple's massage in New York in December.

But Crowe has shut down the speculation about his love life and took to the micro-blogging site late on Monday to discredit the story.

He tweeted, "Dita Von Teese is brave, smart, sweet and elegant. She is a friend of mine. Who wouldn't want friends like that? Friends, not lovers."

He subsequently deleted the post, but not before it had been picked up by eagle-eyed fans and gossip bloggers.

However, the actor decided to leave a link directing fans to Von Teese's new music video with British electronic duo Monarchy, which he had uploaded earlier in the day.

Crowe reportedly split from his wife Danielle Spencer in October and has since been falsely linked to Billy Joel's ex-wife, TV chef Katie Lee.

Last month, he insisted he was determined to keep his family together and planned to return home to Australia once he finished filming in New York.