Have Garth and Trisha wed?

Country couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are at the centre of a new gossip storm after sources claimed the couple had wed in secret.

The Nashville, Tennessee, pair, who have been an item for years after splitting from their respective partners, set tongues wagging last month when they attended the Songwriters Hall of Fame awards and seemed intent on keeping a secret.

Eagle-eyed journalists spotted Brooks clutching his girlfriend's left hand all evening - and felt sure he was trying to hide a ring.

An onlooker revealed: "When one nosy guest tried to get a gander at her hand, Garth just held it all the tighter."

Brooks has helped fuel the speculation by appearing on country music show Inside Fame and coyly stating: "Trisha is my best friend and sometimes people marry their best friend."