HOLLYWOOD - Britney Spears' one-time assistant Shannon Funk has denied press reports she had a lesbian affair with her former employer.

OK! magazine this week published photos of Spears, 25, and Funk, 21, seemingly naked together in a swimming pool, with Funk cuddling and kissing the pop star on the cheek.

Funk was fired by Spears last month after only a month's employment. She was assisting Spears during her disastrous photo shoot and interview with OK!, which resulted in the singer storming off with over $15,000 worth of designer clothes and jewelry.

Despite the suggestive photos, Funk insists she and Spears had a platonic working relationship and were only messing around for the cameras.

She says, "Britney needs constant reassurance of someone's affection and is very touchy-feely, even if she likes someone. Brit loves the attention that comes from flirting."

http://www.hollywood.com/news/Shannon_Funk_Denies_Lesbian_Romps_with_Britney_Spears/4691119