Mischa Barton laughs off engagement rumours

Mischa Barton has laughed off rumours suggesting she is engaged to her actor boyfriend, insisting the ring which sparked the speculation was actually a prop from her new stage role.

The O.C. star is dating British actor Sebastian Knapp and she recently stepped out wearing what appeared to be a diamond ring on her wedding finger, prompting gossip about the status of the couple's relationship.

However, Barton has now revealed she was wearing the ring for her role in a theatre production of Steel Magnolias in Ireland and simply forgot to take the prop off.

She tells the Belfast Telegraph, "It was a £3.99 ring from (budget jewellery store) Claire's Accessories that my character Shelby wears in the play. I just hadn't taken it off. I mean, come on, if I was going to wear an engagement ring it wouldn't be a fake diamond. Really, that's so not my type of ring. If I get married, though I doubt I will, let's just say I won't be wearing a ring like that."

The actress goes on to reveal her romance with Knapp is going very well, adding, "Life is great at the moment. We get on well. I'm enjoying work. It's a combination of things. Yeah, I'm very happy."