How do i tell him?

Alright, i need a little advice, or maybe some tips. Lately, my good friend Jimmy has been showing a lot of signs of liking me. Today for instance, out of nowhere, he grabbed me around the waist and it took 2 minutes to get him to let go. Normally, i know how to tell a guy i'm not interested, but Jimmy is one of my best guy friends. In the past, a couple of girls he liked turned him down. They told him he was just a good friend. I feel horrible for saying that i feel the same way. He's just a really good friend, and that's all i can ever see him as. What i need to know is how i can tell him this. I can't just come out and say i just like him as a friend, it's so hard. I don't want to hurt him, or lose his friendship. Any advice will help.

Well unfortunately I have had quite a few of those situations...and to tell you the truth...none of those guy friends...stuck around to be a friend...I remember one told me...he can't see me anymore because everytime he sees me it reminds him that he cant be with me...I was of course hurt and confused...I was friends with this guy for 11 years! 'Til this day I really don't know what to think of it...Bottom line...I guess it depends on how important your friendship is and how strong his feelings for you are...Let's hope you guys' friendship is really strong and his feelings for you as a girlfriend will fade...I think that's the only way you guys can stay good friends...Wish you the best...

Thank you all for your advice. It really helps. I'm definitely going to consider it. ^Unforunately he has liked me for a year now. I thought he had gotten over it, but i think his feelings have gotten stronger because last year he wasn't so physical. This year he constantly pops out of no where and asks me where i'm going. He likes to take things from me because he knows i'll chase him. He gets extremely close to me all the time. Sometimes i have to put my agenda in front of my face because he gets so close. It makes me uncomfortable because he's just a friend, like a brother. I thought it was obvious i only think of him as a friend..

well have you considerd to try to go out with him just to see if there is any opening for stronger feelings? never say never.....

Actually, yeah. I have considered it. I thought about it a lot, but i just can't see it. He's an awesome friend, that's all. He's just not that special someone i'm looking for. I don't get any butterflies, or strange feelings when i'm around him. I don't think about him unless he's sitting near me, and we're talking. Or just hanging out. Honestly, no part of me wants to take our relationship any further then being friends.