CHAD LOWE - LOWE: 'SUBSTANCE ABUSE STRAINED MY MARRIAGE TO SWANK'

Actor CHAD LOWE refuses to blame his substance abuse for the breakdown of his marriage to double Oscar winner HILARY SWANK, but he admits it "strained" their relationship. Swank and Lowe were married for eight years before splitting last year (06), and Lowe has previously admitted to being "disappointed" when Swank discussed his troubled past in an interview with Vanity Fair. But he denies their relationship was ever affected by jealousy, insisting he was proud to see her win Oscars for 1999's BOYS DON'T CRY and 2004's MILLION DOLLAR BABY during the years they were together. He admits, "I was always proud of her achievements. It's true that I was less than inspired by the opportunities coming my way as an actor. But that in no way negated my support or admiration for all she's accomplished. "I was disappointed with her decision to go public with my sobriety. But I don't deny that I had a problem and that it strained our relationship. Was this the reason it ended? No. I've been sober for nearly four years and have never felt better. (I'm) forever grateful to Hilary for her support."