'We all go through hard times' Louise Redknapp breaks her silence over marriage split rumours

Louise Redknapp has finally broken her silence on her reported split with sportstar husband Jamie, during a candid interview on This Morning.

The former Eternal singer has until now refused to comment on the rumours circulating about the break down of her marriage, but has been pictured both with and without her wedding ring, fuelling plenty of speculation.

But after being asked by Friday host Eamonn Holmes about the state of her relationship, she's now addressed the allegations head on.

'I think that it has been so heavily documented and of course we all go through hard times,' she explained. 'My priority and his priority is our children and protecting them and love them and putting them first and that's what we are focusing on right now.'

Speculation about the split began back in July, when Louise was said to have left the family home she shared with Jamie and her sons Charley, 12, and Beau, nine, after 19 years of marriage.

It was reported that the difficulties in the couple's marriage began this time last year, after Louise was caught up in rumours of the famous 'Strictly Curse'.

Having been out of the limelight since having her first child, her appearance on the prime time BBC1 smash hit reportedly gave Louise a new lease of life, leading to seven months of touring with the show and a renewal of her showbiz career.

The development was thought to have put a strain on their marriage, and the pair have allegedly struggled to recover - but neither Louise or Jamie have directly addressed the discussion or confirmed whether or not they are still together.

When asked by Eamonn if her newly re-established busy schedule was helping her cope with her turbulent home life, she said: 'It enlightened my love of performing, after being at home for 12 years, doing the mum thing.'

'I think for me, going back to work has been something that has been a real saviour for me. Doing Strictly - Ruth you know this - is does something.'

Before the 'marriage troubles' became public, she hinted at a similar sentiment during an interview with John Bishop.

'I was Jamie Redknapp's wife for ten years,' she said. 'That's what I was known as.'

'I don't mean that in a negative way, it's obviously amazing but there's a part of me that secretly enjoys just being Louise...'