Actor PETER FACINELLI has fueled ongoing reports of a blossoming romance with his NURSE JACKIE co-star JAIMIE ALEXANDER after the two were snapped holding hands in New York on Thursday (15Nov12).

Facinelli, who split from his wife of 11 years Jennie Garth in March (12), stepped out with the actress on Thursday night for a bite to eat at East Village restaurant The Penny Farthing, before heading to a screening of his latest film, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2.

The pair were snapped by WENN leaving the eatery, and an onlooker tells Celebuzz.com, "They had a great time. They looked like a very cute couple."

Facinelli and Alexander first met on the 2009 set of Loosies, which the 38 year old produced.

Reports of a romance first surfaced this summer (12) when Facinelli and Alexander posted identical photos of a romantic Paris getaway in France.

Meanwhile, Garth has revealed she's struggling to get back into the dating game despite reports linking her to photographer Noah Abrams, insurance executive Jason Clark, and set designer Antonio Ballatore.