Harry Styles has addressed rumours he spat on co-star Chris Pine at the Venice premiere of their latest film Don’t Worry Darling.

The British pop star – who is up for a Mercury Prize tonight – told fans at his Madison Square Garden gig in New York on Wednesday evening: “I just popped very quickly to Venice to spit on Chris Pine… but fear not, we’re back.”

The joke went down well with fans who responded with screams.

There has been much speculation about some of the cast members of the psychological thriller not getting on.

However, internet chatter reached new heights on Tuesday after a clip showing Styles taking his seat next to co-star Chris Pine at the Venice Film Festival premiere of Don’t Worry Darling – directed by Olivia Wilde, who Styles is now dating – went viral.

Twitter users questioned whether it showed the 28-year-old One Direction star spitting in Pine’s lap before sitting down next to him, with Pine apparently looking confused and then laughing to himself.

However, Variety’s co-editor-in-chief shared this clip, which showed Styles’ entrance from a different angle.

Self Esteem on not being cool, not being completely skint and not having her bum pinched

Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde address abuse about their relationship

Olivia Wilde wins first custody battle as she hits out at Jason Sudeikis’s ‘aggressive’ paper serving

With the initial video seen by millions of people, sources for Styles have said the story is not true.

A representative for Pine, 42, has also denied the incident took place.

“People are seeing some odd illusion of sorts online that is clearly deceiving… there is nothing but respect between these two men,” the representative told Sky News’ US affiliate E! News.

“This is a completely fabricated exchange,” the rep added, “and any suggestion otherwise is a blatant attempt to create drama that simply does not exist.”

Click to subscribe to Backstage wherever you get your podcasts

Don’t Worry Darling is a satirical thriller set in the 1950s, also starring British actresses Florence Pugh and Gemma Chan, with Wilde, 38, appearing in the film as well as working behind the camera.

The film reportedly received a five-minute standing ovation following the screening’s conclusion on Monday night.

However, it has been the subject of much recent media attention due to the interest in Wilde and Styles’ relationship, reports of behind-the-scenes tension and the departure of Shia LaBeouf – who was replaced by the singer – from the project.

Ahead of its premiere, Wilde said she did not want to contribute to “the endless tabloid gossip” and “the noise”.

Related posts:

Body of seven-year-old found in river – days after tubing accident killed three of his relatives Simone Biles withdraws from another two Olympics finals ‘Life-altering’ storm to hit New Orleans on Hurricane Katrina’s 16th anniversary Ida makes landfall as ‘extremely dangerous’ category four storm – National Hurricane Center The second home of ‘Satchmo’ gone: Hurricane Ida rips at the jazz heart of New Orleans ‘I was not going to extend forever war in Afghanistan’ – Biden Prince Andrew accuser’s confidential $500k settlement with Jeffrey Epstein made public Turning 40 is ‘terrifying’, says singer Adam Lambert Burger King accused of false advertising with lawsuit filed over size of its burgers Baby giraffe gets leg braces fitted to fix limbs bending the wrong way ‘I’d recognise those chubby fingers anywhere’, sexual assault victim says of alleged fugitive ‘Multiple fatalities’ after two planes crash above California airport