Paul McCartney and his wife Heather Mills McCartney are to separate, a statement issued on behalf of the couple confirmed today.
The statement said they had "found it increasingly difficult to maintain a normal relationship with constant intrusion into our private lives".
The statement also said they had agreed "with sadness" to "go our separate ways" but added that the parting was "amicable".
The end of the former Beatle's four-year marriage to the animal rights campaigner was reported this morning.
The report suggested the couple had been living at separate addresses in recent weeks.
McCartney is said to be living on the family farm in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, about 50 miles away from his wife (38) who is reported to be at the couple's home in Hove.
Pictures also recently showed McCartney (63) on holiday alone in the south of France.
Last week Heather denied rumours the marriage was on the rocks, and put the stories of a split down to her hiding from photographers who wanted a picture of her on crutches after a recent operation.
She told one newspaper: "It's hilarious. Of course we are together. Paul and I are still very much together. Paul and I are together 100 per cent."
PA