Could it be? Claire Bennet and Peter Petrelli’s real life alter egos Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia are dating?

Rumours first started in the fall of 2007, and according to a recent People Magazine article, Panettiere and Ventimiglia are a couple:

Fall’s turn into winter cranked up the heat in one respect: the connection between Milo Ventimiglia and Hayden Panettiere. Having previously denied a relationship, the two Heroes stars are now considered an item.

Probably the most talked about aspects of this potential pairing are not being able to get past the on-screen niece/uncle relationship, and the 12 year age difference - Panettiere is 18, and Ventimiglia is 30. I have to admit, I started thinking of other co-stars who dated off-screen. It’s certainly not unheard of for love to blossom on set.  In recent history, Lost’s Evangeline Lilly and Dominic Monaghan come to mind. I’d like to know what everyone else thinks about this subject. Are these relationships doomed to fail, or do they have the potential to last? What other romances between TV co-stars can you think of, and did they stand the test of time?  My thoughts?  It’s probably easiest for actors to date a co-star.  With their hectic schedules, they don’t really get to meet anyone outside of the people they’re working with.  I just think most of these relationships don’t last once the actors are no longer working together, and their dating pool opens up.