Revealed that after their honeymoon, he bought 100 cans of soup

likable by describing him as a movie buff and a great listener

Ted Cruz and his wife Heidi looked lovingly at each other as they talked about their relationship and vision for the White House in front of the cameras.

But daughters Catherine and Caroline almost stole the show as they appeared on stage for the second half of the CNN Town Hall - talking about Build-A-Bear, American Girl Dolls and Taylor Swift.

The couple, who have been married for 15 years, played up to the audience in New York ahead of the crucial primary next Tuesday amid rumors of infidelity that have rocked his bid for the presidency in recent weeks.

They answered personal questions from host Anderson Cooper and voters - many of whom admitted they were already backing Cruz - in a bid to make the Texas Senator look likable.

She said he was a 'movie buff' and insisted he is a great listener at home.

The girls, on the other hand, looked to embarrass their father by hinting there was a video him prancing around in a pink boa for one of their birthdays.

The Republican candidate, who is second behind Trump in the race, did slip up with a controversial comment about watching porn with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, as his two daughters were sat in the front row.

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Ted and Heidi Cruz looked at each other lovingly as they talked about how they met and their first date during the CNN family town hall

The Republican candidate revealed the pair had their first meal together at a restaurant called The Bitter End

But his daughters Catherine and Caroline stole the show as they appeared on stage for the second half of the question and answer session

He told the audience: 'After reading about me watching porn with O'Connor, Rubio texted me: "Holy cow! I didn't know you watched porn. Our oppo team missed it.'''

Staying on Rubio, Cruz said he and his team are looking at possible vice presidential running mates.

After reading about me watching porn with O'Connor, Rubio texted me: 'Holy cow! I didn't know you watched porn. Our oppo team missed it.' Cruz to the audience

'We're in the process now of looking at a number of different options,' said Cruz without mentioning names.

Asked about Rubio, Cruz called him an 'amazing communicator' who inspired millions across the country in his presidential campaign.

'I consider Marco a friend,' said Cruz, adding that 'anyone would naturally look at Marco' for the No. 2 position on the Republican ticket.

Away from politics, he caught the audience's attention when discussing his long-standing relationship with Heidi.

He revealed how he met Heidi when the pair where on George W.Bush's campaign for President in 2000.

He said he first approached Heidi while 'trying to be cool' and asked her if she'd had dinner.

They then went to a restaurant called The Bitter End in Houston.

'We had a dinner that lasted three or four hours. We shut the restaurant down, it was a wonderful dinner. .. With us it was love at first sight.'

'We'd both had series relationships, we were at a point where we were looking for someone. We were soulmates.'

She was a student at the time at Havard Business School and, after a short time together, she had to leave the campaign trail in Texas and head back to the east coast.

We had a dinner that lasted three or four hours. We shut the restaurant down, it was a wonderful dinner. .. With us it was love at first sight Cruz on his dinner with Heidi at Houston restaurant, The Bitter End

They then spoke every night, sometimes until the early hours of the morning.

The pair married, in 2001, a year after they met.

Heidi described the early years of their marriage with a story about soup.

'We came back from our honeymoon and Ted went off to the store by himself,' she said. I was completely shocked to see him come back to out apartment with literally a hundred cans of chunky Campbells soup.'

She then explained how he made him load the car up and return every single one of them.

Heidi said: 'Ted is an incredible listener – I want all voters to know that and one reason is he really cares, he really cares about what you're saying, he really cares about what's on your heart.

One thing you told me that night were the things I liked, a necklace, some flower, then a couple of weeks later appeared – at the venue – in snowy Boston , some beautiful roses, from that particular florist that was very difficult to find.

'Ted is a great listener. At home my daughters say I do all the talking. Ted has many qualities and thoughtfulness is right at the top of the list.'

Asked if he had ever not followed his wife's advice, Cruz said he could not remember any examples, but Heidi Cruz had a ready response for him.

'Sometimes you don't take out the trash when I ask you to,' she said.

The youngsters were fidgety as they sat on stage and answered questions from Anderson Cooper

Last night's appearance followed allegations of Cruz's rumoured infidelity - with reports that he had had five mistresses.

Claims also surfaced in the last week that Cruz was allegedly named in the notorious 'black book' of late DC madam Deborah Jeane Palfrey, who, at the time of her arrest in 2006, claimed her escorts had slept with officials in the White House, the Pentagon, lobbyists and high-powered lawyers.

Two women have denied being Cruz 'mistresses' - Amanda Carpenter, a former campaign aide who is now a CNN contributor and Katrina Pierson, another former campaign aide who is now a spokeswoman for Donald Trump.

Cruz has dismissed the claims as 'complete garbage'.

Caroline was caught yawning at one point as Heidi held on to her younger daughter Catherine tightly

Caroline, seven, revealed that she wanted Taylor Swift to be the first dinner guest if they made it to the White House in November

Catherine, four, talked about how she competes against her sister on a karaoke machine at home

After Heidi had spoken, the two girls made their way onto the stage.

Caroline, seven, sat on the her own while four-year-old Catherine perched on her mother's knee as they took questions from Cooper.

The pair maintained their composure, despite some fidgeting, as they faced questions from Cooper and voters.

They talked about how they were preparing for Caroline's eighth birthday on Friday. Heidi said they were celebrating by holding a Build-A-Bear party.

I want the American girl doll Julie and I'm going to have a Build-A-Bear party.. and a chocolate cake Cruz's seven-year-old daughter Caroline on plans for her eighth birthday on Friday

She told Cooper: 'I want the American Girl doll Julie and I'm going to have a Build-A-Bear party.. and a chocolate cake.'

Her younger sister said she wouldn't be building a doll, as she didn't want to make the same one as her sister.

Caroline then said her favorite state was New York. She then said the best place to visit is the American Doll store.

Even when Caroline was asked if she wanted to leave the stage, she insisted on staying, and even hugged her mother.

Their father, Ted, then described his admiration for his daughters. But he admitted it was tough to get a return of affection.

'To get a hug and a kiss from the girls I usually have to do about four laps of the living room – one will go one way and the one other way and I have to tackle them,' he said.

Caroline (left) told the audience her favorite state is New York. The best part of it, she said, is the American Girl doll store

'They mostly get their goodnight kiss hanging upside down.'

The youngsters then provided an example of the family behind closed doors. They told a harmless story about an unfortunate wardrobe choice.

During one of their birthdays, their mother 'got to dress up Daddy in a pink boa and these like, big goofy-looking underwear.

'And [inaudible] it was on a videotape the whole time. And that was a class video that they're sending out to all the parents.'

After the pair's adorable appearance, Heidi and Ted faced more serious questions about personal attacks that have beset the campaign.

It followed spats between Heidi and Donald Trump's wife Melania in recent weeks.

The Republican candidate, who is second behind Trump in the race, did slip up with a controversial comment about watching porn with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, as his two daughters were sat in the front row

Ted said: 'It is not acceptable to attack anyone's family.

'The personal attacks in this campaign have been really unfortunate. Donald doesn't want to talk about the substance. He doesn't want to talk about the issues. He just wants to attack on Twitter.'

He admitted following The Donald on Twitter, but then went on to say: 'Although the truth of the matter, is you could sit alone in the woods in the middle of nowhere and somehow still hear Donald’s tweets.'

It followed Cruz's attack on Trump fans, who he compared to 'acting like union boss thugs'.

He said: 'Donald and his team, it's almost like they're subjects in a course in clinical psychology. The conduct they do, literally, they accuse others of doing.'

Citing threats Indiana police have reported against delegates, Cruz said, 'We shouldn't be intimidating delegates.'

'What Donald doesn't like is losing elections,'

When asked what her favorite film was, Heidi said Legally Blonde. Ted, who has previously said his best flick was Princess Bride, also told Anderson Cooper he liked all The Godfather films.

Even though Cruz slammed Trump's social media use, his Republican rival did not tweet once about Cruz's interview.

Catherine leans closer to her mother as she answers questions from voters. She managed to maintain composure on stage despite the attention