Denise Van Outen's frequent trips abroad without husband Lee Mead have sparked speculation about the state of her marriage.
But 38-year old revealed on Friday that the couple's decision not to employ a nanny meant that she and husband Lee Mead were forced to holiday separately.
She told Daybreak that there was 'always speculation' about the state of her marriage, but stopped short of outright denying a split.
Bright and early: Denise Van Outen outside the
Daybreak studios on Friday morning and spoke to Kate Garraway about her
solo holidays
'I know you're not happy to talk about it, but that [holidaying without Lee over Easter Bank Holiday Weekend] prompted speculation that maybe the marriage was troubled,' said veteran broadcast journalist Stapleton.
'There's always speculation. Just to set the record straight, we don't have a nanny, so we split our parenting duties, so we do spend time apart,' said Denise.
We don't have a nanny: John Stapleton, and Kate Garraway, chat to Denise on the sofa
Explaining her situation: Denise says she and Lee Mead don't have a nanny and they split their parenting equally
'If we had a nanny and we went away all the time together then people would critcise us for not taking our child with us. Betsy's in nursery, do you know what I mean?'
She added, in a joking, yet dismissive tone: 'It'll all blow over, tomorrow's chip paper.'
Kate Garroway then took the lead, and spoke of how sometimes mums need a break, and it can take a while to realise that you can't do everything without assistance.
'You need a break sometimes,' agreed Denise.
Then alluding to the media speculation about her recent solo holiday said: 'It's like, four days. I wouldn't mind if I'd gone for three weeks or something.'
Troubled marriage? Denise neither confirmed nor denied that her marriage is in trouble
Citrus bright: Denise wore a neon orange blazer for her TV appearance on Friday
Solo holiday: Denise went to Dubai for a holiday with her friends, leaving her husband at home with their toddler
'I've spent a lot of time with her, and when I was on the Strictly Tour, Lee was at home with her, then when I finished the tour Lee went back to LA as he's doing pilot season.
'So we have been quite separate lately,' she said.
Stapleton was quick to jump in: 'Now you're doing a one woman show so you'll have to juggle again.'
Coordinated: Denise wore a jacket that matched the Daybreak studios decor when she went on the show on Friday
'Betsy will go to bed and she'll be none the wiser that mum's on stage,' she smirked.
Neither presenter asked Denise who will be looking after the toddler while she is on stage, or why a family member couldn't be asked to care for her so her parents could enjoy a relaxing break together.
The Essex girl met husband Lee back in 2007 on Any Dream Will Do, but hasn't been spotted out with him in recent months, sparking speculation about their marriage.
She also took a solo trip to Dubai over New Year, leaving her singer other half back in Blighty.
The latest interest in the state of their marriage comes after West End star Mead decided to stay at home with the couple's daughter while Denise sunned herself over the Easter break.
Shrugging off the rumours: Denise waved to photographers as she made her way in to the London studios
But to avoid the miserable weather that London woke up to, she arrived at the studios wearing dark leggings.
Later in the day, Denise had changed her outfit again, putting on a dark jacket as he ran errands near her London home.
- To see the rest of Denise's Daybreak interview click here
No sign of Lee: Denise left the house solo, without the company of her husband or daughter
