Ellen DeGeneres Manhandles Ashlee Simpson's Baby Bump

Ellen DeGeneres literally took matters into her own hands when rumoured-to-be-pregnant Ashlee Simpson appeared on her U.S. chat show to promote her new single.

The host got straight in there with the tough questions.

"I can’t let you sit here and not ask you the question," Ellen began, before asking, "Are you or are you not pregnant?"

Ashlee - who's become well-practiced in pregnancy-avoidance tactics over the past week - replied, "Well, that has been going on for quite a while. That is definitely something that I choose personally not to discuss except for the fact that maybe..."

She then attempted to play down the baby-bump rumours by adding, "Do I look like I had 10 cheeseburgers or something...because I don’t think I do."

Like the rest of us, Ellen wasn't buying the denials and decided to change tack.

Pointing to a photo of Jennifer Lopez, she asked, "You’re not going to keep this answer up as long as this woman did..."

A laughing Ashlee replied, "No, I’m not. I swear. I promise you that. I give you my pinky on that."

With Ashlee continuing to remain tight-lipped on her motherload, Ellen took the opportunity to steal a cheeky-feel of her mini baby-bump.

You can check out Ellen’s chat ’n’ grab when Ashlee's appearance airs tonight.

Play Spot Ashlee's Baby Bump!