Hayden Panettiere: 'TV character is not based on Taylor Swift'

Hayden Panettiere has dismissed rumours suggesting her character in a new country music TV drama is based on superstar singer Taylor Swift.

The Heroes actress plays a rising country star in new drama Nashville, and speculation has been rife about whether the character is inspired by Swift and her own rise to fame.

However, Panettiere is adamant there are very few similarities between her character, Juliette, and the real life singer.

She tells Access Hollywood, "I've heard the Taylor Swift thing quite a bit. And I think aside from being around the same age and blonde, not even height, I mean, very different, very different. And I think you guys, once you see her and get to know Juliette, my character, a little bit better, you'll see that. But I really think Taylor would disagree wholeheartedly as well. She's much nicer than my character."

Nashville is due to premiere in the U.S. in October (12).