London, Nov 18 (IANS) Pop diva Janet Jackson has silenced rumours about her continued romance with boyfriend Jermaine Dupri by referring him to as her 'ex'.

The singer who was first rumoured to have separated from the music executive in July, however, admitted she is still in touch with him but as friends, reports fametastic.co.uk.

'I'm not the type of girl that stays in touch with your ex like that. But Jermaine is one of my best friends. I love him to death. We're still connected. We're still good friends. We still talk,' she said.

Janet, 43, was reported to have ended her seven-year relationship with Jermaine, 37, in the summer in the wake of her pop superstar brother Michael's death in June.

At the time, it was claimed she decided to call off the romance because she felt 'suffocated' by her lover.