Faye Brookes and Gareth Gates have split up.
The ‘Coronation Street’ star has confirmed she and the singer – who met in 2012 when they played lovers on the UK tour of ‘Legally Blonde The Musical’ – are "taking some time apart", but admitted the pair remain the "very best of friends".
She wrote on Twitter: "Unfortunately @Gareth_Gates and I are choosing to take some time apart. We remain the very best of friends. We’d like to Thank you for all your support over the years x (sic)"
In a similar message, Gareth tweeted: "Unfortunately @Faye_Brookes and I are choosing to take some time apart. We remain the very best of friends. We’d like to Thank you for all your support over the years x (sic)"
Earlier this year, Faye admitted the 34-year-old star – who shot to fame in 2001 when he was the runner-up in the first series of the ITV talent show ‘Pop Idol’ – was always surprising her in their relationship.
She said: "I talk about it all the time but Gareth loves to surprise me. He goes big or goes home".
Last year, Faye – who plays Kate Connor in the ITV soap – said she wanted to spend the "rest of [her] life" with Gareth.
She said: "We’ve talked about it. And that day will come, I’m sure of it, but that’s not for now. "Every Valentine’s Day the conversation comes up. I’m like: ‘Listen, I’m totally career-driven,’ and he knows that.
"I’ve found the guy I want to spend the rest of my life with and if he does propose, then it’s going be a complete surprise."
The 31-year-old actress has previously described Gareth as her "best friend" and credited him with allowing her to "not take life too seriously".
She added: "It was a real fairy tale – I totally believe in fate and that he was meant to walk into my life for a reason. He became my best friend and it blossomed into us becoming this unbelievable duo.
"He was the one person who allowed me to let my guard down – for me to be silly, laugh at myself and not take life too seriously."
Faye Brookes and Gareth Gates split
