Sean Penn and Petra Nemcova dating?

Sean Penn and Petra Nemcova cosy up at Oscars

The Oscars red carpet was this year dominated by couples (Nicole and Keith, George and Sarah, Heidi and Seal). But the surprise pair of the night? Sean Penn and Petra Nemcova.

The 47-year-old actor and the 27-year-old Czech model set tongues wagging when they posed for photos together on the red carpet before heading off to Elton John's Aids Foundation bash, where the twosome cosied up to each other all night, before leaving at 3am.

Penn announced the separation from his wife, Robin Wright Penn, in January after 11 years of marriage.

Tsunami survivor Petra was previously engaged to photographer Simon Atlee, who tragically died in the disaster, and also recently dated Brit singer James Blunt.

But, it seems, the unlikely pair are now finding comfort in each other's arms.