Rihanna insists that she and rumoured beau Chris Brown are “like brother and sister” – which raises disturbing questions about the nature of her relationship with her own siblings.

Despite persistent reports of the non-couple’s public displays of affection, both continue to deny they are an item.

Speaking to MTV News at Saturday's Kids' Choice Awards, the Umbrella singer said: "We are best friends, honestly, like brother and sister."

"I won't say that we're just friends – me and Chris are really best, best friends.

"We both started our careers around the same time. He is one of the only people in the industry...I trust and hang out with all the time."

She added: "If he was a boyfriend, I would say that."

Chris chimed in with the denials, revealing: "They keep asking me, 'What's the deal?' I'm like, 'There's no deal. No deal.' We're just friends."

Just to hammer the 'We're just friends' message home, the Kiss Kiss star adds that his personal modus operandi is: "Be yourself – and see as many girls as possible!"

But are we buying it?