Kris Smith Opens Up On Split From Dannii

Kris Smith has spoken out for the first time following news earlier this month his four year relationship with Dannii Minogue has crumbled.

Acting as co-host on Ten's The Circle this morning, "Just taking it one day at a time," he told co-hosts Gorgi Coghlan, Yumi Stynes and Meshel Laurie when pressed on how he's coping, adding, "It's a struggle, but you know we're the best of friends and we have a massive mutual respect for one another."

Smith, 33, and Minogue, 40, met in Ibiza in 2008. While they never married, they welcomed their "pride and joy," son Ethan in April 2010. Their shock split comes just 10 months after the couple were first rumoured to have been on the brink of a separation, amid speculation over Smith’s fidelity. Breaking the news via her Twitter account, “It brings me great sadness to tell you that Kris & I have separated,” wrote Minogue. “We still care for each other & ask for privacy in this difficult time, in particular for our son Ethan who remains our number one priority.”

Dannii Minogue: How I Cope

Asked this morning about 22-month-old Ethan, "He's sensational, he just picks you up every single day," said the former rugby star turned model and sometime-sports presenter. "He's a blessing."

Working mum Minogue has also spoken out publicly post-split. When asked at a recent Sydney event how she overcomes professional challenges, the Australia's Got Talent judge revealed she and her Project D co-designer and best friend Tabitha Somerset-Webb “piss ourselves laughing” in times of high stress. “You have to be able to turn anything that is an obstacle into an opportunity,” she said. “As soon as you can find the funny side you’re so much quicker to find the solution.”