Kris Smith`s mother hopes to save his relationship with Dannii Minogue

The couple - who have a 10-month-old son Ethan together - are reportedly attempting to save their three-year romance for the sake of their baby, and are "desperate" to sort out their problems, with the former model flying out to Melbourne, Australia, for crisis talks with the singer.

Kris` mum Elsie told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I hope it`s just a trial split. I know they will do everything to save their relationship for the sake of their son.

"Ethan will be foremost in their minds while they`re going through this - he has to be hasn`t he? That baby means the world to them both. This has come as a total surprise. I`m just gobsmacked."

However, Dannii and Kris - who met on holiday in Ibiza in August 2008 - have claimed despite rumours circulating that they have called time on their relationship, they are both "committed" to one another.

In a statement, the couple said: "Thanks for your concern. We`re happy to be back at home in Melbourne together as a family. We are committed to our relationship and Ethan."

However, 39-year-old Dannii has hinted about the strains in their relationship on twitter.

She tweeted: "Never chase love. If it isn`t given freely by another person, it`s not worth having.

"Forgiving someone does not mean forgetting what they did. It simply means letting go of the hurt."

sections: Celebrities