By Andrea Magrath



Dannii Minogue and partner Kris Smith have split.

The couple, who have a 21-month-old son, Ethan, separated two weeks ago, it has been revealed.

English model and former rugby player Kris Smith, 33, has moved out of the couple's Melbourne home.

Dannii, 40, and Kris met in a nightclub in Ibiza in August 2008, and she announced that she was pregnant in January 2010.

They welcomed Ethan in Melbourne on July 5 of that year.

Smith recently changed his Twitter profile to a cryptic message that read: 'It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice... not really sure what my job is anymore... but I do know I love my boy more than life...’

The duo, both keen Twitter users, have not mentioned each other in over a month on the site, and have not been seen in public together since October.

This is not the first time the couple's relationship has been under strain. In May last year they issued a statement confirming they were still on after rumours of infidelity on Kris' part, despite numerous less-than-subtle tweets from both sides.

'Thanks for your concern. We're happy to be back at home in Melbourne together as a family,' they said at the time.

'We are committed to our relationship and Ethan as always.'

Days before, Dannii had tweeted: 'Never chase love. If it isn't given freely by another person, it's not worth having.'

In another message she wrote: 'Forgiving someone does not mean forgetting what they did. It simply means letting go of the hurt.'

Cryptic: Kris recently changed his Twitter profile to a message that hints at trouble at home
Kris had written: 'You don't know what you've got til it's gone.'

Smith's mother Elsie did nothing to dispel the rumours, stating: 'I hope it's just a trial split. I know they will do everything to save their relationship for the sake of their son.'

Kris relocated to Australia, where she is a judge on Australia's Got Talent, full time with Dannii after she quit The X Factor.

He often tweets about enjoying the lifestyle there, and spends a large amount of time on the golf course.

Parents: The couple have a 21-month-old son Ethan

Kris also models for Australian department store Myer and the couple have often been on different sides of the country as their work commitments take them to different cities.

In an interview last year, Kris spoke of his concern over Dannii's workload, but said at the time that her drive and his laid-back attitude balanced their relationship.

'I wish she’d sit back and relax at some point, before stress levels do their worst. But that’s the way she is, so inclined to work hard and strive for things.

'I’m more laid-back. We balance each other out. It’s a ­counter-balance. I like to chill out and enjoy life.'


Baby joy: Dannii and Kris were overjoyed when they welcomed Ethan in July 2010



source:dailymail