Cohen sets record straight on relationship with Avery

TORONTO — TV personality Andy Cohen has officially shot down rumours he is engaged to Canadian hockey star Sean Avery.

“A gay guy and a straight guy should be able to be friends,” Cohen, who is openly gay, told TMZ. “Sean Avery is straight.”

Engagement rumours were sparked by a post on gossip website The Fame Driven, in which an unnamed source claimed the two men were secretly engaged after nearly two years of dating.

The story was accompanied by photos of Cohen, 45, and Avery, 33, vacationing together. In one, the men are shirtless and draped in an American flag.

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When someone asked Cohen via Twitter if the report is true, Cohen replied: “ask @imseanavery.” Avery then tweeted: “#Busted.”

Avery, a native of the Toronto area, retired from the NHL last year after playing for the Red Wings, Kings, Stars and Rangers.

An advocate for equal marriage rights, he appeared in a PSA and lobbied the New York State government to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Avery has been romantically linked to Canadian actress Elisha Cuthbert and model Rachel Hunter.