"Freeman's rep tells us the actor remained silent for years because he didn't want to 'dignify these stories by commenting' ... but now he feels compelled to speak out after the reports were picked up by various 'mainstream media' outlets. In his statement, Freeman says, 'The recent reports of any pending marriage or romantic relationship of me to anyone are defamatory fabrications from the tabloid media designed to sell papers. What is even more alarming is that these fabrications are now being picked up by the legitimate press as well.'" Sorry about that, Mr. Freeman. In other news: TGIF. [TMZ]