Def Leppard Slam Split Rumors

Rockers Def Leppard have laughed off speculation of a split, insisting they couldn't "imagine doing anything else" if they ditched the band.

The Hysteria hit-makers prompted rumors of a break-up in October after they cancelled 23 dates on their North American tour, citing "unforeseen personal matters," and failed to reschedule the gigs.

However, singer Joe Elliott insists the trek was only cancelled so he could tend to his wife Kristine, who was expecting their first child.

He tells TheStar.co.uk, "There wasn't any mystery to it really. My wife was pregnant and needed a bit of attention from me, which she wasn't getting. There was a lot of things (sic) in our private lives that needed attending to. We're not splitting. Not at all. We often joke, what else would we do? You just can't imagine doing anything else."

The 50 year old became a dad earlier this year.