Chris Tarrant has insisted that his seven-year affair meant nothing to him.

The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? host has admitted that his wife Ingrid refuses to forgive him after learning about his secret relationship with teacher Fiona McKechnie - but he still hopes that she will take him back.

"I know this will be hard for most people to understand but [Fiona] didn't mean anything to me," he told the News of the World. "It was nothing and I mean that. It wasn't a big thing, it's over and I regret it and that's the end of it. Everyone has said it started ten years ago - but actually it was only seven."

"I wish the old girl could forgive me and we could get back together but she doesn't seem to be budging," he continued. "I still love her. We used to have a great life together and a real laugh. We were a great couple and a team - but I can't get through to her.

"I can't believe it is over for good, but I fear we will end up divorcing because once the lawyers get involved these things become inevitable."