Who Is Dannii Minogue's Ex-Boyfriend, Kris Smith?

Australian singer Dannii Minogue, 40, and her former rugby ex-boyfriend, Kris Smith, split in April, and it's been rumored that the discord leading up to the dissolution of their four-year relationship, which yielded a son, Ethan, 2, might have had something to do with Smith's close friendship with fellow catwalk model Jennifer Hawkins, 28.

^{Dannii and Kris in happier times — WENN}

Hawkins, who is herself engaged to male model Jake Wall, denied that anything romantic had ever taken place between her and Smith. "Kris is so much fun," Hawkins said last year, reports the U.K.'s Daily Mail. "He's such a cool guy. He's much more of a mate to me, it's nice."

Back in April, Minogue tried to save her relationship with Smith, even going so far to move back to Australia from England, thereby quitting her stint on Britain's The X Factor. Finally, however, she admitted that the relationship was over, tweeting, "It brings me great sadness to tell you that Kris & I have separated. We still care for each other & ask for privacy at this difficult time, in particular for our son Ethan who remains our number one priority."

Months after the split and battling a thyroid condition, Minogue is feeling strong again, reports the Mail. "Now, for the first time in ages, I really felt like I'm back in my body. I have to take tablets every day for my thyroid and I have regular blood tests to monitor it, but I finally feel good again." Through all the tough times, she describes her son as her rock. "He's just a complete and utter bundle of joy."

Smith still models for the Australian department store, Myer, with Hawkins.

For more like this:

SPLIT: Tom Cruise And Katie Holmes After Five Years

SPLIT: Debra Messing And Husband Separate

Charlie Sheen's 'Goddesses' Split

SPLIT: Heidi Klum And Seal, After 7 Years Of Marriage

SPLIT: Peter Facinelli & Jennie Garth, After 11 Years Married