Ronan Keating may be at the centre of one of the country's biggest marriage splits -- but he's still considered a top-notch celebrity dad.

The Boyzone singer was ranked eighth in the annual Top Celebrity Dads of the Year list -- in spite of the fact that he has been kicked out of his family home after reports of an affair emerged.

Francine Cornell,the dancer with whom he had a relationship, has been spotted out and about in her hometown, looking relaxed and carefree.

Ronan split with his wife of 12 years, Yvonne, after she learned of their seven-month romance.

The scandal shocked friends and fans of the Keatings, but voters of the online poll on Bounty.com still consider him one of the best dads in showbiz -- beating young footballer fathers Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard. The high-profile couple have three children -- Jack (11), Marie (9) and Ali (4).

Controversy

The British poll was won by singer-turned-reality TV star Peter Andre (37) by 35,000 voters.

Others rated best fathers in the celebrity world are Jade Goody's ex, Jeff Brazier, Take That singer Gary Barlow, and chef Jamie Oliver.

In spite of the controversy surrounding the Keatings, with Yvonne now facing one of the most heartbreaking moments of her life, Francine has been lapping up her newfound fame.

Since emerging from her solitude earlier this month, the petite blonde has been photographed socialising and shopping with friends and family in recent days. Although the 26-year old blonde has vowed to "never tell" the secrets behind their romance in a bid to maintain some normality, she has made no attempts to stave off cameras following her.

Affair

Cornell kept a very low profile immediately after the story broke and was believed to have been abroad. Now she is home and attempting to return to her day-to-day life at her family's home in Leeds.

During a shopping trip with her mum Barbara yesterday, she opted for simple chic -- wearing a white sleeveless blouse top and jeans.

According to sources, Francine has vowed to never sell her story -- but PR guru Max Clifford has been in touch with both her and her mum in recent weeks as she sought "advice and guidance".

The celebrity spindoctor told the Herald that he will be "keeping an eye out for her" during her stint in the limelight.

"I spoke to her -- she called me and her mum called me and I talked to them about the pluses and minuses of the situation. I just talked her through it all a week or so ago," he said.

hnews@herald.ie

- Caitlin McBride