Strictly Come Dancing' contestant Laila Rouass insists she was married "in the eyes of God".
Rouass has hit out at claims she lied by saying she married ex-partner Nasa Khan - with whom she has two-year-old daughter Inez - in 2005, explaining they pledged to be together forever in front of friends and family.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror she said: “There’s no reason for me to pretend I’m married. I wasn’t hell-bent on getting hitched but as far I’m concerned I made my vows before God and that was it.
"If I wanted to be that traditional, I would have gone for a civil ceremony but I didn’t because I’m not that way inclined."
The 'Footballers’ Wives' and 'Primeval' star explains: “We had a religious ceremony with witnesses from both sides, followed by a reception for family and friends.
"I was married in the eyes of God. It’s such a ridiculous story – that someone would give me a ring apparently worth £60,000 on our wedding day and yet it wasn’t our wedding day."
The actress also responded to claims that she lied about her age.
"If you look on the internet, you’ll see stories describing me as anything from 28 upwards. I haven’t hidden it, I just can’t remember the last time anyone bothered to ask,” says Laila, who is actually 38.
"You’ll also find articles about my Indian background when both my parents are actually Moroccan. You can’t believe everything you read."
