Dannii Minogue ‘struggling with loneliness’

Dannii Minogue is finding it "really hard to be alone" following the breakdown of her relationship.

The Australian beauty split from model Kris Smith earlier this month. The pair began dating in August 2008 and have a 20-month-old son called Ethan together.

Dannii is said to be struggling to come to terms with the breakup.

"Dannii's finding it really hard to be alone now, so she's either been staying with her parents or they've been over at her place. The reality hit home when Kris visited her to collect Ethan for a couple of days," a source told British magazine Closer.

"The meeting was brief, but Dannii felt it was really awkward and it left her feeling very tearful. The breakup is still so raw."

Dannii's behaviour is said to be erratic following her love split.

"She's really hurting. She wants to keep the lines of communication open, as she knows Kris is a great dad and that they'll need to discuss various issues regarding Ethan, but they've agreed not to talk properly until they're ready," the source continued.

"Dannii's all over the place. Some days she's down, but other times she's quite positive, saying the relationship will be different. She knows she needs to focus on herself and the future."

Dannii is currently at the centre of a scandal involving Simon Cowell. It has been claimed that the pair had a romantic relationship during her time as a judge on the UK version of The X Factor.

The disclosure of the "affair" was made in The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell, a book written by BBC journalist Tom Bower.