Katy and Russell spend Christmas apart

Katy Perry and Russell Brand blamed hectic work schedules for keeping them apart for much of their first year of marriage – which we can just about believe – so why,  given the perfect opportunity for some ‘us’ time, did they decide to celebrate Christmas 7,000 miles apart.

While Brand, 36, enjoyed himself with friends in Cornwall, his 27-year-old wife was sunning herself in the surf in Hawaii.

The couple, who married in October last year after a whirlwind romance, have gone out of their way lately to quash speculation that their marriage is on shaky ground.

That good work however may be undone by the fact Miss Perry wasn’t wearing her wedding ring as she frolicked in the sea with friends.

She has previously used Twitter to dismiss marriage rumours. She tweeted: ‘Just cause we don’t flaunt our relationship doesn’t mean there’s something wrong w/it. Privacy is our luxury. ’

Comedian Brand reportedly spent his Christmas in a Cornwall pub before joining his friend David Baddiel’s charity swim.

Both The Sun and People magazine reported that Brand and Miss Perry have rented properties in the respective beauty spots for the festivities.

And while People quotes a source that places Brand in Kauai, it points out that he was never pictured on the beach with his wife.

They appear to have gone their separate ways to celebrate the time of togetherness.

The British actor was also spotted at Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park last Tuesday without his wife.

He addressed the recent speculation that his one-year marriage has hit a rough patch on The Ellen DeGeneres Show earlier this month.

When told about the frenzied split speculation, Brand jokingly replied: ‘What?! She should have told me!’

He added: ‘I’ve treated the whole internet now as a wicked little liar. I am really happily married.

‘Being famous is like a little bit of you is taken away and goes off and lives on its own and does what it wants.’

‘I wish it would do more interesting things.’

‘I don’t know what is doing, but I’m married to Katy,’ he continued. ‘Perpetually, until death do us part was the pledge. I’m still alive.’

When asked about starting a family, Brand said he would like to have children with Perry.

‘I would like one. I love those little babies in the beginning,’ he said. Until then, the couple are content with being godparents to twin boys.

‘I’m just observing them like I’m a scientist,’ he said of his godchildren.

‘So I can learn from them. Me and Katy are their godparents, which means we’re responsible for their spiritual growth. Should be interesting…’