Gavin Henson: 'Split was a nightmare'

Gavin Henson has described his split from Charlotte Church as a "nightmare".

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, the rugby player admitted that he is trying to deal with the failure of the relationship by focussing on the pair's two children.

He said: "It's been a nightmare and it's still very raw. But I suppose these things happen and you have to deal with it. I realise that things happen for a reason, but I don't really make long-term plans now.

"I just want to get my life in order but with what's going on in my life at the moment it is literally one day at a time. I'm getting there. But it's not really in my control at the moment. I don't regret a second of my relationship. Charlotte and I had some great times together but it came to an end. I'm coping okay. I'm trying to be strong about it and we're both trying to be mature about it. All I can do is try to be the best father I can be to my children."

Speaking of his time spent at home while on a career break from rugby, he said: "I loved being a full-time dad. There were so many highs with the kids. I loved seeing them grow up and just being with them. I'd been playing professional rugby for 10 years. I thought I’d gone as far as I could with sport.

"My kids and rugby have got me through this. When you're in a serious situation like this and there are children involved, you realise very quickly the answer's not at the bottom of a pint glass.

"It's been a big wrench going from being with the kids 24/7 to living on my own. When you go from one extreme to another, chasing round after two kids, loads of noise and toys about, to being just you, that's hard. I'm at my happiest when I'm with my kids or on the rugby field."