A Place In The Sun's Laura Hamilton admits 'overwhelming sadness' over split from husband

A Place In The Sun star Laura Hamilton confessed she has been "overwhelmed with sadness" following her split from her husband after 13 years.

The 39-year-old TV presenter - who announced on social media in January she was separating from husband Alex Goward, father of her two children - has spoken out the split for the first time and said she is focusing on a positive future.

Hamilton told Hello! magazine: "There have been times I have been so overwhelmed with sadness."

But she insisted: "It was a chapter of my life that I am now closing, and I have so many happy memories. I am very much someone who believes in focusing on the future, not having regrets, and I want to be positive for my children.

Read more: A Place in the Sun's Laura Hamilton denies she's leaving the show

"It was a decision we both came to. We have an enormous amount of respect for each other, but we are now on different paths. At the point it was announced, we'd already overcome a lot of difficult times. But I am lucky that we have the relationship and respect for each other that we have, and our children's happiness will always be our priority."

Hamilton - best known for being a presenter on Channel 4 property show A Place In The Sun since 2012 - shares son Rocco, eight and six-year-old daughter Tahlia with broker Goward.

Watch: Study Suggests Married Couples Who Met Online Experience Higher Rate of Divorce

They also share a business in the form of a cafe in south London.

Announcing their split on Instagram in January she said: "This isn’t something I ever thought I’d be saying but, after 13 years of being together Alex and I have separated. Our children are and always will be our number one priority."

Hamilton has moved into a new home which she is currently busy renovating.

The TV star is also getting ready to celebrate her 40th birthday with a party abroad and a dinner party for 40 friends.

Read more: 'A Place in the Sun' couple lose 12 stone after being shocked by their size on TV

She said while she is not ready to date, she is planning to enjoy being single and is excited about the future.

Hamilton said: "There is a quote about when it is scary to jump, that is when you should or you never move on in life.

That is how I feel about my forties, even if at times it feels quite scary and daunting. I am ready to face and embrace everything that is thrown at me."

The TV presenter began her career on CITV and came second on the 2011 series of Dancing On Ice. In 2014 she took part in Channel 4 skiing show The Jump.

Watch: A Place In The Sun couple lost 12 stone after seeing themselves on TV