Their romance is no drag! James Middleton cosies up to girlfriend Donna Air as she puffs on a cigarette outside a Chelsea pub

  • Donna Air and James Middleton pictured leaving The Cross Keys together 
  • The TV host, 36, spotted smoking in pub entrance while holding dog lead
  • Duchess of Cambridge's brother left the bar to join his partner outside   

Their relationship has been blighted by split rumours but it seems things between Donna Air and James Middleton are anything but over. 

The notoriously private couple were spotted deep in conversation together outside The Cross Keys pub in Chelsea, London, on December 10. 

Dressed in a pair of stone-washed jeans, a smart dark cream-coloured coat and a chic fedora hat, 36-year-old TV presenter Donna braved the winter chill to step out of the bar for a cigarette. 

Notoriously private couple Donna Air and James Middleton were spotted deep conversation together outside The Cross Keys pub in Chelsea, London, on December 10

Notoriously private couple Donna Air and James Middleton were spotted deep conversation together outside The Cross Keys pub in Chelsea, London, on December 10

Donna dressed in a pair of stone-washed jeans, a smart dark cream-coloured coat and chic fedora hat
36-year-old TV presenter Donna braved the winter chill to step out of the bar for a cigarette

Dressed in a pair of stone-washed jeans, a smart dark cream-coloured coat and chic fedora hat, 36-year-old TV presenter Donna braved the winter chill to step out of the bar for a cigarette

Cake-making entrepreneur James, who was dressed head-to-toe in black, carried a padded jacket and was still sporting his hipster-like facial hair

Cake-making entrepreneur James, who was dressed head-to-toe in black, carried a padded jacket and was still sporting his hipster-like facial hair

After getting a cigarette from a fellow punter, the Geordie beauty was spotted smoking alone on the drinking establishment's doorstep with just her pet dog for company. 

Shortly afterwards  28-year-old James, the Duchess of Cambridge's brother, came out to join her.

Cake-making entrepreneur James, who was dressed head-to-toe in black, carried a padded jacket and was still sporting his hipster-like facial hair. 

Fuelling reports that their romance is on the rocks, the tight-lipped pair have not been seen out in public together for a number of months. However, this mid-week date appears to quash any heartbreak rumours. 

On November 20, Donna, who is mother to daughter Freya, 11, from a previous relationship with casino millionaire Damian Aspinall, attended the launch of Winter Wonderland at London's Hyde Park. 

The former Byker Grove actress was flying solo at the event without boyfriend James, who she started dating nearly three years ago. 

The Geordie beauty was smoking alone with just her pet dog for company on the drinking establishment's doorstep until 28-year-old James, the Duchess of Cambridge's brother, came out to join her

The Geordie beauty was smoking alone with just her pet dog for company on the drinking establishment's doorstep until 28-year-old James, the Duchess of Cambridge's brother, came out to join her

Geordie TV presenter Donna Air stepped outside of the London pub with her dog to have a cigarette
She smoked alone until her boyfriend James joined her on the step

Geordie TV presenter Donna Air stepped outside of the London pub with her dog to have a cigarette 

The mother-of-one appeared in high spirits as she got her nicotine fix on the drinking establishment's doorstep

The mother-of-one appeared in high spirits as she got her nicotine fix on the drinking establishment's doorstep

Donna was spotted chatting to two fellow punters as boyfriend James Middleton remained inside the pub 

Donna was spotted chatting to two fellow punters as boyfriend James Middleton remained inside the pub 

The former Big Breakfast host's appearance came around a month after she and the businessman released a joint statement to the Mail on Sunday, insisting they were still very much together - in spite of reports to the contrary.

Proving the pair had retained a sense of humour in the drama, James and Donna said: 'Mark Twain once complained that reports of his death were exaggerated.

'A few days ago we were equally amazed to read the obituaries of our relationship splashed across the national press.

'Happily, we can report that our relationship is not over. We are still very much a couple and have not parted ways. These stories are completely untrue and without merit.'

The couple's romance started back in March 2013 when they met at the exclusive private members' club, No 5 Hertford Street, in London's Mayfair. 

Donna and James made their first public outing together when the blonde TV star took James as her date for New York socialite Heather Kerzner's 44th birthday party.

The pair soon became a party power couple, posing for pictures together at society events and showbiz shindigs.

Donna was spotted taking a cigarette off one of the women outside of the pub, before lighting up alone 

Donna was spotted taking a cigarette off one of the women outside of the pub, before lighting up alone 

Party-loving Donna and James pictured at the annual Serpentine Gallery Summer Party in June 2013. They started dating in May the same year

Party-loving Donna and James pictured at the annual Serpentine Gallery Summer Party in June 2013. They started dating in May the same year

The pair were spotted leaving the  J Crew store launch in Regent Street, London, in November 2013. They have denied rumoured of a recent split having not been seen out together for a few months

The pair were spotted leaving the J Crew store launch in Regent Street, London, in November 2013. They have denied rumoured of a recent split having not been seen out together for a few months

Just days prior to the release of the couple's statement, The Sun had claimed Donna was 'heartbroken' after James called time on their union.

A source told the newspaper: 'The split happened a couple of weeks ago and it was James' decision.

'He just didn't think it was going to go the distance. And I think his family were always very anti her being the future Queen of England's sister-in-law.'

Donna and James have both been notoriously tight-lipped about their romance, insisting in spite of their showbiz life and royal connections, they don't 'court publicity'.

But in a rare interview in 2013, Donna opened up about their then-burgeoning romance, telling The Mail on Sunday's You magazine: 'James is wonderful, and I enjoy our time together very much.

'I am very happy. It is early days but you just never know what the future has in store.'

She then quipped of her culinary entrepreneur boyfriend, 'And yes... there is also the bonus that he brings something I have always searched for, and will always need in my life... cake!' 

James and Donna attend the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Summer Party at Mr Fogg's of Mayfair in June 2013

James and Donna attend the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Summer Party at Mr Fogg's of Mayfair in June 2013


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