Country star Leann Rimes has hit back at accusations she stole JESSICA SIMPSON's first boyfriend, insisting the claims are untrue.

Simpson recently revealed, in an episode of TV show NEWLYWEDS: NICK AND JESSICA, she had her heart broken by an "actor on Days Of Our Lives" who was "dating LeAnn Rimes at the time he professed his love" to her, when Simpson was an 18-year-old.

The man in question turned out to be Jensen Ackles, who stepped out with Rimes after she guest-starred on his daytime soap.

But Rimes is eager to point out there was nothing romantic going on between her and Ackles.

She says, "We were friends, but there was no real dating. He's a great guy, but there was no cheating."

06/08/2004 09:29