As Carrie Bradshaw, she is never short of advice on her friends' relationship problems.

But Sarah Jessica Parker has remained remarkably tight-lipped after rumours that her husband had an affair with a younger woman.

The Sex And The City actress instead let her actions do the talking, going for a romantic --and very public - meal with the allegedly errant husband, actor Matthew Broderick.

United: Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, who are rarely pictured together in public, at a New York restaurant last night

The rare joint appearance came as Parker, 43, tries to fend off rumours that Broderick had a series of late-night liaisons with a woman of 25 while his wife was away filming the Sex And The City movie.

Reports say he met the woman in a bar in New York last November and told her his 11-year marriage was 'not good'.

But Parker and Broderick put on a united front as they dined in New York this week, the first time they have been seen together since news of the alleged affair broke last month.

The couple usually go to extreme lengths to ensure they are not pictured together.

Broderick, 46, is especially private. He even chose to stay away from the world premiere of the Sex And The City film in London. However, on Wednesday he was happy to pose for photographers as he put his arm around his wife.

The pair are reported to be trying to save their marriage for the sake of their son, five-year-old James Wilkie.

A source said that the 43-year-old actress had told a friend she and Broderick, 46,  'had been out of love for a long time but remain married for their son'.

Together: It's the first time the pair have been seen since it was claimed the actor had an affair with a 25-year-old

The source added: 'Sarah and Matthew have been struggling for years. Now they have decided to make things work - especially for the sake of their son, James.'  

Another source defended the couple, saying: 'They have never had a conventional marriage, but it works for the two of them.

'Sure they fight like other couples but they love each other and their little boy. They are so private and hate all this silly gossip.'

Before the Sex And The City premiere in May, Parker called her marriage to the actor 'a treacherous train ride'.

'I'm really lucky that he is the father of my son,' she said. 'But that doesn't mean we always agree on everything.

'I'm happy to be with him regardless, but I'm sure there are many times he wishes he wasn't with me.'

Broderick's spokesman has declined to comment.