Jessica Simpson appears dazed on date night with husband Eric Johnson... after HSN President defends 'drunk' appearance

Jessica Simpson tried her best to hold her head high as she stepped out on a rare date night with husband Eric Johnson on Monday night, following a denial by the Home Shopping Network's president that she was by no means drunk when she appeared on the channel last week.

Dressed in a figure-hugging black jumpsuit which featured wide legs and a low-cut top, the former Newlyweds star was a vision of effortless chic as she was spotted leaving Craig's Restaurant in Los Angeles, California, in the late hours of the evening.

Jessica, 35, stomped home in a pair of black strappy sandals after indulging in a mammoth five-hour dinner date at the upmarket eatery with her spouse-of-one-year.

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Holding her head high: Jessica Simpson enjoyed a five-hour dinner date with her husband Eric Johnson in Los Angeles, California, on Monday evening after the Home Shopping Network president shut down claims she was drunk during an appearance on the channel last week

Holding her head high: Jessica Simpson enjoyed a five-hour dinner date with her husband Eric Johnson in Los Angeles, California, on Monday evening after the Home Shopping Network president shut down claims she was drunk during an appearance on the channel last week

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The married couple had to navigate their way through a crowd of fans so it's understandable the Entourage star looked a little agitated.

The former sports star held the actress-designer's hand as they safely made their way to their getaway car with members of their personal security team.

Jessica manged to hold it together and was pictured sitting in the front of her car with a smile slapped across her face while Eric strapped himself in in the back.

Staying close: Jessica, 35, clutched Eric's hand as they left Craig's Restaurant in the late hours of the evening

Staying close: Jessica, 35, clutched Eric's hand as they left Craig's Restaurant in the late hours of the evening

Extra support: The actress-turned-designer held onto the former sports star as she navigated the rowdy crowd in a pair of towering heels

Extra support: The actress-turned-designer held onto the former sports star as she navigated the rowdy crowd in a pair of towering heels

Bombarded: A hefty crowd of photogs greeted the married couple as they made their way to their getaway car

Bombarded: A hefty crowd of photogs greeted the married couple as they made their way to their getaway car

Made it: The former Newlyweds star forced a grin in the front seat while Eric strapped in in the back

Made it: The former Newlyweds star forced a grin in the front seat while Eric strapped in in the back

Sensitive subject: It's no wonder the actress-turned designer appeared a little off considering recent events

Sensitive subject: It's no wonder the actress-turned designer appeared a little off considering recent events

It's not surprising Jessica looked a little anxious as her evening out comes shortly after she was slammed by HSN viewers who accused her of being inebriated and slurring her words when she appeared on the channel to promote her clothing and accessory ranges on Thursday.

She rambled: 'Ashlee is, like, the best at wearing grey... my sister.... Like, she's very rock 'n' roll, but there's something about a grey... that's like... sexy.

'Maybe it's her and her husband, they share jeans... I have no idea.... I dunno there's just something hot about them.'  

Not her usual self: The clothing designer was accused of being drunk while trying to promote her 10th anniversary range on HSN on Thursday

Not her usual self: The clothing designer was accused of being drunk while trying to promote her 10th anniversary range on HSN on Thursday

Slammed by disgusted viewers: Fans quickly took to the Internet to question what was up with Jessica as she appeared over jovial and a little confused at times during the two-hour sell marathon

Slammed by disgusted viewers: Fans quickly took to the Internet to question what was up with Jessica as she appeared over jovial and a little confused at times during the two-hour sell marathon

'Top-notch professional': On Sunday HSN President Bill Brand (pictured with Mindy Grossman in 2013) defended Jessica's on-air behaviour

'Top-notch professional': On Sunday HSN President Bill Brand (pictured with Mindy Grossman in 2013) defended Jessica's on-air behaviour

The president of the American broadcast has since defended the multi-talented star's behaviour, hailing her 'a top-notch professional'.

He told ET: 'Of course she wasn't drunk. She's a top-notch professional. She was here. She was thrilled to be here. I can tell you our team loved working with her.

'I think what you have to take into account when you're on HSN it's very different than traditional television in the sense that it's not just a Q&A on a talk show, where you get a question and an answer. This is two hours live. It's a completely different beast.'

Despite the backlash, Jessica's milestone range still sold out.

Her biggest fan: Jessica forgot about her disastrous appearance on HSN by spending time with her family on Monday including daughter Maxwell

Her biggest fan: Jessica forgot about her disastrous appearance on HSN by spending time with her family on Monday including daughter Maxwell

As the world chuckled over the video of the 35-year-old struggling through a live segment selling her wares on HSN, the star decided to ignore the online shaming and instead shared some sweet pictures of her family.

On Monday - three days after the HSN debacle - Jessica posted some pictures of her daughter Maxwell, son Ace and loving husband Eric.

Captioned simply 'Maxwell Drew', in the image of her little girl, the three-year-old sat on a big leather seat at a restaurant with her golden curls - just like her mommy's - cascading across her face.

In the other image, her two main men made the most of California's hot weather by having a dance-off on the shore of a Malibu beach.

The fashion mogul captioned the snap: 'Gettin' Jiggy Wit It... #aceknutejohnson and Daddy (sic).'

'Gettin' Jiggy Wit It': In another image, her two main men, husband Eric Johnson and son Ace, were making the most of California's hot weather by having a dance-off on the shore of a Malibu beach

'Gettin' Jiggy Wit It': In another image, her two main men, husband Eric Johnson and son Ace, were making the most of California's hot weather by having a dance-off on the shore of a Malibu beach

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