Married Nick Knowles speaks of pain at having to ‘relive’ Gemma Oaten ‘relationship’ drama amid claims he dumped her while they were in bed
The DIY SOS host has slammed those trying to profit from this 'trivial' situation
NICK Knowles has responded to claims by actress Gemma Oaten that he ended their relationship while they were in bed together.
The DIY SOS host, who enjoyed a brief romance with Gemma while estranged from his wife Jessica, took to Twitter to defend himself and told fans he'd faced a difficult year.
He wrote: "Life is not about what happens to you, it's about how you deal with it.
"This year we faced a miscarriage, the break down of our marriage and cancer without being disrespectful about each other at any point."
Jessica, 29, and Nick, 54, split in January after three years of marriage - the pair have two-year-old son Eddie together.
In July, Jessica was diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Last month at the TV Choice Awards, 32-year-old Gemma and Nick were spotted getting cosy.
She told it was only when these pictures went public that Nick "dropped me like a ton of bricks."
Nick went on: "We are saddened for each other and for the sake of our young son that this is being played out so publicly.
The story in today's paper is something that happened (in the space of less than one week) during a turbulent, traumatic time and more to the point - whilst we were separated.
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"It is unfortunate we are having to relive it purely so someone can financially gain from exploiting our life."
He added: "With everything that's happened this year, even discussing this seems very trivial in comparison to what we have dealt with and are still dealing with.
"As always, our answer is united, as we are. We have enjoyed eight years as best friends and nothing will change that."
In response, Gemma said on Twitter: "I was forced to speak out, didn't want to, but I'm glad I've set the record straight.
"The small fee from today has been donated to charity."
The former Emmerdale actress spoke out following claims by the married star that he was never dating Gemma.
Last month pictures of Nick and Gemma cuddling at the TV Choice Awards were published.
She told : "I am reluctantly being forced to speak out as I have been painted in the worst way possible.
"I don’t think he is deep down malicious, but he needs to know he can’t treat people like this."
Gemma, 32, explained: "One Sunday morning we were lying in bed and all these texts came through about us being photographed together.
"In an instant he completely changed. It was all about him and how it was going to affect his family. It was really cruel as he said it didn’t matter for me."
"I felt sick," said Gemma.
";I said, ‘do you want to throw away what we have got? We have done nothing wrong.’ But he just dropped me like a ton of bricks."
The blonde went on: "I thought it was a real relationship and he wasn’t afraid to let others know. He said him and Jess were never going to be together.
"I would have steered clear if he wanted to get back with her."
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