STOCKHOLM • Actress Pamela Anderson was coy about a rumoured romance with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, saying his being holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London made dating "a little bit difficult".

The British media have reported that Anderson, 49, has been spotted visiting Assange, 45, at the embassy where he took refuge in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over rape allegations that he denies.

In a clip of a Swedish television talk show that aired last Friday, she is asked if their relationship is romantic and if they are dating.

She laughs before saying: "Well, he's imprisoned - that would make it a little bit difficult." Pressed further, she says: "Let's see what happens when he's free. But you know, I spend probably more time with him than with any other man socially, which is very odd."

In a post on her website last Thursday, she referred to him as "one of my favourite people".

"He might be the most famous, most politicised refugee of our time. Famous for being persecuted. Famous for being persecuted is not a position of power but a position of vulnerability. I am concerned," she wrote.

"Julian is trying to free the world by educating it. It is a romantic struggle - I love him for this."

The media have printed photographs of Anderson outside the embassy, with one picture showing her carrying takeaway food.

"It has brought some attention to maybe people who didn't realise a lot about him," she says in the clip. "So I guess in a way that's been a little bit helpful, but I don't want to go into any private details. But I don't know." She can then be heard saying: "He's very sexy."

REUTERS