Terry's wife insists they're a 'strong couple'

SHAMED footballer John Terry and his wife Toni have made a public show of affection as they attempt to move on from the scandal which led to him losing his role as England captain.

Mrs Terry insisted they were a "strong couple" despite her husband's well-publicised affair with a French underwear model and ex-girlfriend of a former team-mate.

The footballer flew to Dubai on Thursday to meet with his 28-year-old wife. She fled the UK with the couple's children after details of Terry's four-month affair with Vanessa Perroncel emerged. The 29-year-old, who was sacked as England captain earlier this month, was pictured yesterday kissing and cuddling his wife as the couple relaxed with their children by the pool of a five-star hotel.

He told a newspaper: "The pictures say more than words can say about how we are as a couple. What me and Toni speak about, no-one will ever know.

"No-one will ever get close to knowing about how our life is. We are private people. We know how we feel about each other and that is the main thing. Our relationship has never been knocked down. We're just so in love."

Mrs Terry said: "We're very strong as a couple – always have been. John came over to see me and the kids and enjoy a few days in the hot weather."

The England player was allowed to miss Chelsea's FA Cup match against Cardiff yesterday to take some time off after headlines relating to his private life were published.

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins said Terry had discussed taking a break from club duties with manager Carlo Ancelotti.