Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has spoken out against allegations that she is a 'marriage-breaker', saying she started a relationship with her fiance Raj Kundra only after he got divorced.

Shilpa, 33, found fame in Britain when she appeared alongside late British reality TV star Jade Goody in Celebrity Big Brother and won the series. She met millionaire Kundra, 34, shortly afterwards.

Kundra was separated when he met Shilpa, but his estranged wife Kavita publicly blamed the actress for the break-up of the marriage.

"It actually made me feel physically ill. To be called a marriage-breaker was the worst thing possible.

It brought such shame on to my parents, and I felt so bad for their sake, " the Daily Mail online quoted her as saying.

"To be honest, I think I was in love with Raj from day one but I was in denial.

I made it clear to him that our relationship could go no further than friendship until he actually had his divorce, " she added.

The couple, who recently bought a five-million-pound, seven-bedroom mansion that they named Raj Mahal in Weybridge, Surrey, is planning to marry around October, and Shilpa says she can't wait to start a family.

"I'm desperate to start a family. I just love children, and we've a beautiful readymade nursery (in the new house). I want at least two children.

"There is already a child's bedroom in London because Raj has a nephew and I can certainly see my children running around this place.

And there is enough space for us to live at one end while Raj's parents live at the other. In Indian culture you live as an extended family and this home is perfect for that, " she added.