Ricki Lake was traumatised following her first marriage.

The talk show host has revealed that the breakdown of her relationship with first husband, illustrator Rob Sussman - with whom she has two children, Milo and Owen - left her cynical about relationships and she didn't think she would marry again.

But her new spouse Christian Evans changed her view and made her love again.

She said: ''For a long time I was involved in this very difficult marriage. I had all these struggles and a relationship filled with drama, which I thought was normal and healthy. But a marriage shouldn't be drama filled. It should be loving and based on a real partnership.

''It was very tough and traumatic and my children were very young. I was married for almost 10 years and I honestly did not think that I would ever get married again. I thought, 'I don't need a man. I am an independent woman. I am strong. I was very cynical about marriage but then I met this amazing person and he changed my perspective on what a partnership should be and the value of sharing your life with someone.''

The 44-year-old TV star has had a long and public battle with her weight - weighing 266lbs at her heaviest - but now a healthy 112lbs, Ricki says her husband helps her stay on a healthy path.

She added: ''I still struggle with being happy with what I see when I look in the mirror. I beat myself up when I've got a spot but it helps that I've got my new husband Christian by my side. No matter how much I weigh and how many wrinkles I get, I truly feel for the first time that I am loved unconditionally.''

Ricki wed Christian in April 2012 in a private ceremony with just their two dogs in attendance.