US Republican presidential contender Newt Gingrich has angrily denied a report that he once wanted an "open marriage", strongly criticising the US media at the start of a key debate.
Mr Gingrich told CNN's debate host that even raising the issue was "as close to despicable as anything I can imagine".
He called the US media "destructive, vicious and negative".
The four remaining candidates appeared in a last-ditch debate before Saturday's South Carolina primary.
Mr Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum debated in Charleston after a dramatic day.
As Mr Gingrich gained on Mr Romney in the polls, an ex-wife revealed in an interview he wanted an "open marriage".
Meanwhile, Texas Governor Rick Perry pulled out of the race and Iowa said a vote mix-up meant Mr Romney had not won its caucuses.
Mr Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, is the front-runner in the state-by-state race for the Republican Party's nomination to challenge Democratic President Barack Obama for the White House this November.
He is ahead of Mr Gingrich, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, Christian conservative former Senator Rick Santorum and Texas Congressman Ron Paul.
bbco.com
