Just months after announcing their engagement, former Atomic Kitten star, Natasha Hamilton, and 5ive member, Ritchie Neville, have announced they have called time on their relationship.
The couple, who began dating in 2013 and share one daughter together, released a statement confirming that their engagement has come to an end and they have chosen to go their separate ways.
In the statement, the former couple explained that the decision had been mutual, saying: "After careful consideration, we have decided to amicably end our relationship. There is no one reason for the failure of our relationship."
Refusing to apportion blame to any one party, Natasha and Ritchie then turned their attention to the future of their family, continuing: "Unfortunately it's just the way things have turned out and it's no one's fault."
"In the interests of our family we remain good friends and we hope that people will respect our privacy at this time," they concluded in a short statement which is bound to shock their legions of fans and followers today.
Natasha, who has three other children from previous relationships, has taken to Twitter in light of the recent announcement, cryptically posting: "It make me so angry that when your having a really tough time in life, all the scum crawl out the woodwork to troll you. Shame on u." (sic)
The former couple got engaged last October while on holiday in Rome and both took to social media to express their delight at the prospect of their impending nuptials.
Clearly overjoyed at the idea of tying the knot to the former popstar, Celebrity Big Brother contestant Natasha told the press: "I hope with all my heart this time it's forever and the happy-ever-after ending I've always wanted. I don't think I've ever been as happy and secure."
We wish them both well as they navigate this incredibly difficult chapter in their lives.
