Nicole showboats for husband Keith

But after seeing her Oscar-worthy performance yesterday, few were left in any doubt about the strength of her feelings for country music star Keith Urban.

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The 39-year-old actress initially embarked on a Caribbean yachting expedition with four girlfriends while her husband stayed in the US.

Her solitary appearance on the French west Indian island of St Barts without 39-year-old Urban was enough to raise eyebrows, particularly as he was admitted to rehab just three months after they wed.

Miss Kidman gave him an ultimatum at the time, telling him she would leave him if he did not seek treatment.

But his surprise appearance a day into her holiday has scotched any whispers about his earlier absence.

Urban - who had been performing at a concert in his native Nashville - was inseparable from his wife of eight years after flying to the paradise island to join her.

And it gave his wife, dressed in a turquoise kaftan, the opportunity to show her devotion to him. On their private yacht she performed what could only be described as a pole dance for him while he looked on dotingly.

Later he gazed on in amusement as flame-haired Miss Kidman, who is meticulous about covering up in the sun, dived into the sea clad in a concealing swimsuit.

He lounged on the boat's deck in a pair of trunks as his wife bobbed up from the water and pushed up her goggles to move in for a peck on the lips and an affectionate nose rub.

And less than 24 hours later, it was time for another outfit and yet another public display of devotion, apparently unable to tear her eyes away from her husband.

A fellow holidaymaker said: "They were very aware of the fact they were so visible. It was surprisingly public and they seemed determined to prove how in love they were."

Miss Kidman, who is on a break from filming The Golden Compass, tearfully tied the knot with Urban in June last year.

Within three months their relationship hit the bumpers as Urban admitted battling his drink and drugs demons.

He was admitted to the Betty Ford clinic in California, where Miss Kidman publicly kissed and cuddled him in the grounds to counter accusations of a rift.

He said at the time: "I deeply regret the hurt this has caused Nicole and the ones that love and support me."

Miss Kidman, who has two adopted children from her failed marriage to Tom Cruise, recently said how much she longed to have babies with Urban.

She said she was looking forward to getting "barefoot and pregnant", adding in an interview with fellow Australian star Russell Crowe: "Three months into our marriage we had to dig really deep and we are in the process of doing that."

Urban has said of his wife: "She creates the lightest, most comfortable environment you could ask for. We are best friends."