Harry Styles references Chris Pine spit-gate during live performance

Harry Styles has joked on stage that he "went to Venice to spit on Chris Pine", while resuming his US tour at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Social media was ablaze on Tuesday after a journalist suggested Styles appeared to spit as he was sitting down next to Pine at the premiere of their new film Don't Worry Darling in Venice.

A source close to the English singer-turned-actor had earlier denied the absurd claims, but needless to say, the internet just ran with it.

US actor Pine's representative branded the claim as "a ridiculous story."

Returning from the film festival, Styles laughed as he told fans on Wednesday evening: "I just popped very quickly to Venice to spit on Chris Pine... but fret not, we're back."

Videos and online speculation suggested when Styles sat down for Sunday's out-of-competition premiere, he appeared to spit on his co-star, who was seated between him and the film's director Olivia Wilde.