Love's NOT on the rocks, ok?

David Beckham again denied speculation yesterday that his four-year marriage is on the rocks.

He made the spontaneous comment at a Real Madrid post-training press conference.

Journalists had been ordered not to ask questions about his wife, Victoria, who is rumoured to hate living in Spain so much that she is willing to split from the England soccer captain.

But Beckham chose to raise the topic himself, telling reporters: 'In spite of what people say, my wife is very happy and likes Spain a lot.

'She always works and she always has to go to London and America. I'd just like to let people know that she's very happy here. Because she works, that is why she's not here every day.' It was the second time Beckham had felt obliged to defend his marriage. A few weeks ago, he issued a statement saying he and his wife were 'extremely happy together as a family'.

It followed a spate of reports about rows over the former Posh Spice's friendship with rap producer Damon Dash and Beckham's loneliness in Madrid.

Despite yesterday's comments, his wife was once again in London yesterday after a rare five days together last week.

Victoria - who is said to have complained that Spain smells of garlic - has been there only for a total of 14 days out of the past six weeks. The pop singer is fighting to save her record contract with Telstar. Her spokesman indicated that she is not due to return to her husband until next week.

Those at yesterday's press conference said Beckham appeared calm and relaxed as he made his brief, off-the-cuff statement.

'At one stage, about halfway through, he even had a little chuckle to himself because he could see everyone was so surprised by what he was saying,' one said. Beckham confirmed he, Victoria and their sons Brooklyn and Romeo had moved out of the five-star Santo Mauro hotel, where he stayed for 80 days - often by himself - and notched up a £433,000 bill.

They are now renting a £ 4.5million villa north of Madrid.

Asked if he now felt settled in his new country, he said: 'You always feel better and more settled when you're in your own home with your family. All I will say is that coming to Real Madrid has been the best decision I've ever made.'