ARE RICKY MARTIN AND IAN THORPE A COUPLE?

There are rumours that singer Ricky Martin and recently-out Aussie Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe are about to announce that they are in a romantic relationship.

Australian showbiz commentator, Peter Ford tweeted on Friday that the two men had signed a deal with an unnamed magazine to tell the world the happy news.

“Ian Thorpe ready to share even more private stuff!!.He & bon bon shaking mate agree to huge mag/photo deal,” said Ford.

He later added: “Happy times for Ricky Martin and Ian Thorpe & they’re about to tell the world in a mag deal.”

When Thorpe, 31, came out in July, Martin expressed his support for the athlete, tweeting: “Congrats @IanThorpe! Brave man! Happy for you! Millions appreciate what you’ve done! Proud of you!”

He also told the Herald Sun: “(Thorpe) has no idea what he’s doing for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community around the world. He is so powerful.

“To have someone as powerful as him, and as successful as (Thorpe) saying: ‘It’s OK to be who you who you are, and be happy. Kudos, Ian, I’m very proud of you.”

Martin, 42, who came out in 2010, has been single since January after breaking up with partner Carlos Gonzales Abella. The star has been spending large chunks of time down under for his role as a coach in Australia’s The Voice.

The rumours of a new gay celebrity couple sent the world’s entertainment media into a frenzy, but the reports may not have much substance.

Thorpe’s manager, James Erksine, denied the claims to the Sydney Morning Herald, saying “I think someone is having you on.”

The newspaper also reported that Thorpe wasn’t seen visiting the singer during his most recent stay in Sydney.

Neither of two men have commented on Twitter about the rumoured relationship.

Thorpe, who retired in 2006, won five Olympic gold medals, the most won by any Australian, and broke 22 world records. In July he stated: “I’m comfortable saying I’m a gay man. And I don’t want young people to feel the same way that I did. You can grow up, you can be comfortable, and you can be gay.”