Perry and Brand spotted on romantic stroll

LONDON: Pop star Katy Perry has fuelled speculation she's dating funnyman Russell Brand after the pair was spotted walking arm-in-arm through London on Friday (02Oct09).

The I Kissed A Girl hitmaker is rumoured to be romancing Brand after they met backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards last month (Sep09).

They reportedly jetted to Thailand recently to get better acquainted - and now they appear to have taken their relationship to the next level as Brand was seen on Friday showing Perry around Hampstead in North London, where he lives.

The funnyman wrapped an arm around the singer as he escorted her to a coffee shop, and they were also spotted holding hands before walking through nearby Hampstead Heath park.

A Wenn photographer who took a series of shots of the pair during their stroll says, "They make a great couple. Both of them were wearing sunglasses but they weren't trying to hide away. Russell was very tactile and touched Katy affectionately a number of times during their walk."

The Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor reportedly wooed Perry by writing a poem in her honour and asking for a verse in exchange, prompting the saucy singer to send back a snap of herself with the word 'poem' written across her chest.