Dax Shepard has addressed accusations that he is controlling and abusive towards his wife, Kristen Bell, describing the public narrative surrounding their marriage as "deeply insulting".
The actor opened up about the scrutiny during a new episode of his podcast, Armchair Expert, where he spoke to co-host Monica Padman about the claims being made about their relationship.
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Shepard said he was particularly upset by accusations that he was "controlling, abusive and now flirting with people in public, which I don't do".
The 51-year-old also insisted that his behaviour at home is very different from the picture being painted online.
"I don't ever yell at my children. I don't swear at them. I don't yell at my wife," he told Padman.
"To have given it my all to be the opposite of what now some group of people is saying I am, it's hard. I don't love it."
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He went on to explain that he finds the accusations particularly offensive towards Bell, suggesting they undermine her own position in their marriage.
"She's what? Sitting in a house with her two daughters and modeling some abusive relationship? Like, it's very offensive to her," he said.
Shepard's comments come just days after Bell spoke about one of the more unusual aspects of their marriage, explaining how her husband compliments other people when they are out together.
During an October 26 appearance on Armchair Expert, the Frozen star chatted with her Nobody Wants This co-stars about how she and Shepard show affection.
Bell revealed that when they go out for dinner, Shepard often compliments their waiter or waitress, praising their appearance.
She explained that she sees the gesture as a form of flirting with her, rather than the person receiving the compliment.
"That's flirting with me because he just made someone else feel good," she said.
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Bell added that she appreciates the way her husband makes other people feel good through small gestures, describing it as one of the things that keeps their relationship alive.
The couple married in 2013 and have two daughters together.
They have frequently shared unconventional details about their relationship in public, including Bell's darkly humorous tribute to Shepard on their 12th wedding anniversary last October.
The actress has also previously spoken about the deeper connection they share, explaining that their shared creativity helps keep their marriage strong.
