A.C. Slater – er, I mean Mario Lopez- and his “Dancing With the Stars” partner Karina Smirnoff have split, according to reports. I guess that means that they were actually dating- which both of them have denied at various times throughout the relationship. It also means that Karina either: A) was a willing beard for Slater; or B) has a penis.

Mario Lopez and Dancing with the Stars pro dancer Karina Smirnoff have recently split, a source confirms to PEOPLE.

The couple, who met during Dancing’s third season, never publicly acknowledged their relationship despite the fact that the pair were living together in Lopez’s Los Angeles home. A source tells PEOPLE Smirnoff is moving out of Lopez’s digs.

Lopez’s personal rep, Lisa Perkins, says, “It’s my policy to not comment on my client’s personal life.”

Smirnoff, who is now competing on Dancing’s sixth season with R&B star Mario, has been spotted recently with E! Entertainment personality Michael Yo. The two were seen dancing and canoodling at a recent event at Hollywood eatery Beso.

Lopez, meanwhile, is starring in A Chorus Line on Broadway, and recently returned to the ballroom with 18 Chorus Line dancers to tape a synchronized number to air on Dancing’s 100th episode on May 6. He’s also about to embark on a national tour to promote his upcoming book, Mario Lopez’s Knockout Fitness.

[From People]

Unless there is a sex tape somewhere, there is no way I believe these two were any more than platonic friends. It’s not that Karina isn’t gorgeous enough for Slater- it’s just that she’s the wrong gender. Maybe Mario will finally find the strength to come out after spending some time on Broadway. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Note by Celebitchy: Karina Smirnoff denies they broke up, and tells People “We’re going on strong. As much as I love and appreciate the attention, this isn’t true. For the record, I am not moving out. Everything is great.”

At least she was honest about loving the attention, but you have to think that they either have a rocky relationship, have been broken up for a while, an/dor that she may have leaked the rumor to whip Lopez into shape.

Last November, Lopez completely denied ever having dated Smirnoff despite all the photographic evidence, and told Life & Style that “We were never dating. I don’t know where that rumor started.”

So when I heard they broke up I assumed it was ages ago, but maybe Lopez is just the type who won’t commit but is more than willing to get the milk for free. Smirnoff is a lovely woman who deserves much better.

I don’t think he’s of the other persuasion, but MSat could be right.

Karina Smirnoff and Mario Lopez are shown on 3/6/08 at the opening of Beso Restaurant, thanks to PRPhotos.