Thornton denies Leoni romance

Billy Bob Thornton has hit back at reports suggesting he's a factor in the breakdown of Tea Leoni's marriage to David Duchovny - insisting he and the actress are just pals.

The pair became close while shooting their new movie 'Manure', leading internet gossips to link them romantically when news of Duchovny and Leoni's split hit the headlines on Wednesday.

But Thornton, who was recently described by Leoni as "maybe my new favourite person in the world", refutes rumours that his relationship with the actress is anything more than platonic.

A representative for the star says, "Billy and Tea are friends."

In 'Manure', Leoni plays a cosmetics boss forced to take over her father's fertiliser business.