By J J Anisiobi and Emily Sheridan

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Singer Ronan Keating and his wife Yvonne have confirmed they have separated after 14 years of marriage.

In simultaneous announcements on their respective Twitter pages, they revealed they had kept their split private for the sake of their three children.

The couple had gone through a difficult two years after Ronan's affair with a back-up dancer Francine Cornell was revealed in 2010.

The break up: Ronan Keating and wife Yvonne have split after 14-years of marriage

The break up: Ronan Keating and wife Yvonne have split after 14-years of marriage

Announcement: Both Ronan and Yvonne took to Twitter to confirm rumours they have gone their separate ways

Announcement: Both Ronan and Yvonne took to Twitter to confirm rumours they have gone their separate ways

Former model Yvonne revealed today they decided to go their separate ways last year, which means their split would have come just days after they attended the Emerald & Ivy Ball in London as a family.

Yvonne, 37, wrote: 'Sadly,our marriage ended late last year. We kept this news private to give everybody involved time to adjust.Thank you for your support x.'

And her estranged husband, 35, tweeted: 'Sadly our news is true. Thank u all for your support. Yvonne and I still love and care for each other and want to protect our kids. X.'

Yvonne had tried for the last two years to work through her husband's infidelity, but the strain proved too much for the pair.

According to reports the couple had mainly tried to save their marriage for their children but their efforts were in vain.

Other woman: Yvonne was heartbroken in 2010 when it was revealed the singer had a seven-month affair with dancer Francine Cornell

Other woman: Yvonne was heartbroken in 2010 when it was revealed the singer had a seven-month affair with dancer Francine Cornell

Ronan's affair with dancer Francine Cornell happened began during a tour and continued for around seven months.

Yvonne discovered her husband had a secret second phone and decided to go through the messages.

There she found intimate correspondence between the father-of-three and the then 26-year-old Cornell.

Last appearance: The couple attended the Emerald & Ivy Ball in London as a family just days before splitting last December

Last appearance: The couple attended the Emerald & Ivy Ball in London as a family just days before splitting last December

Yvonne reportedly rang Francine after she found the texts, only to be told by the dancer 'We're in love'.

Heartbroken Yvonne then confronted Ronan who admitted the affair.

A source said at the time: 'There were some quite suggestive texts that left little to the imagination. Yvonne went ballistic and told him it was over there and then.'

According to sources, Ronan and Cornell's blossoming friendship was the 'talk of the tour'.

The pair met on Boyzone's tour in May and June 2009. 'Ronan and the girl were certainly very close,' one source said.

Wedded bliss: Ronan and Yvonne arrive in London after getting married in the Caribbean in 1998

Wedded bliss: Ronan and Yvonne arrive in London after getting married in the Caribbean in 1998

And while the singer's infidelity shocked fans, one former colleague said the singer is simply getting an overdue 'comeuppance'.

'Throughout his career he has always cast himself in an angelic light. But the truth has been far murkier,' they said.

'As far as Ronan's concerned the only person that matters is Ronan.

'This is the first time he has been caught out with another woman but there has been talk about his private life for years. Women have always thrown themselves at him.'

Here come the boys: Ronan met Cornell when on tour with Boyzone in 2009

Here come the boys: Ronan met Cornell when on tour with Boyzone in 2009

They added: 'Now you have to wonder whether he always resisted their charms.'

After begging for forgiveness, Ronan was let back into the family home with his children Jack, 13, Marie, 11 and Ali, 6.

However, with his work commitments on the Australian version of The X Factor, it was difficult for the relationship to survive.

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

I'm saddened for his wife but cannot say I am surprised he strayed - simply for the reason he was a Virgin when he married - he was always gonna be wondering what the next cherry tasted like. He knows now, and I bet he wishe's he didn't !

Girls like Francine Cornell are ten a penny however Yvonne Keating is classy and elegant. I remember when the news broke about the affair and Yvonne was adamant she was going to divorce him but obviously gave the little weasel another chance. She will find someone who will treat her with the love and respect she deserves.

Honestly this talk of trading in for younger models is disgraceful; what ever happened to inner beauty and marriages build on respect, trust, love and sensuality? I can only presume that these traits are not there in the first place if you cheat. I can hand on heart say my man will never cheat on me, I know him outside out and no matter what lines develop on my face, I will always be a complete hottie because a lot of my beauty comes from within and that I devote my life to helping other people. There are many other decent men out there too. Good luck to Yvonne and the children and Ronan will need it when he reflects on what a turnip he has been... - Dark Surprise, Midlands, 1/4/2012 10 ######### Are you for real??? I hope you had your fingers crossed while making such a bold statement. - Jaynesgrandma, Northampton, 01/04/2012 10:10 AM Why? I'd be willing to bet a kidney that my husband would never cheat on me. I wouldn't say I'm a hottie though lol. We just trust each other!

cannot stand him always considered himself bigger and better than anyone else she deserves better and will probably get it now his actions were purely selfish no thought for anyone but himself

Its common knowledge here, in Ireland, that Ronan is a dirty big cheat. I wish Yvonne and her lovely family the very best of luck, she's well rid! As for Ronan, what a plonker!

Ronan, you are a fool, beautiful wife inside and out, and beautiful children, you risked your prime stake for a cheap beef burger, I just hope you do not stab your wife in the back, and go back to this marriage wrecker, and all boy-bands should refrain from having any dancers, they are not an integral part of any concert, they are not needed at all. I am so disappointed, I always had Ronan down as a lovely down-to-earth family man, with moral values and standards, I think this will be a thorn in the side of any future Boyzone tour or solo tour for Ronan, a lot of people happened to like and admire Yvonne, and now she has been hurt, and it was not for want of trying, fans!! will remember.

Sorry to here this, I hoped it would work out. Trying to save your marriage for the children's sake is never going to work. If you want to save your marriage it has to be because YOU and your other half want it to work. You have to keep the children out of the equation as much as possible. Ronan you are very silly you lost a good woman.

Wow! Francine Cornell is utterly gorgeous. I've never seen a girl as hot as Francine, except maybe me. It's not hard to see why he was drawn to her. Plus his wife was getting boring, monotonous and predictable, by that stage. These things happen. Don't pretend to be shocked.- Lucy, Brentwood., 1/4/2012 13:49_______________________________ I imagine with your attitude you don't have two friends to rub together...!

Yet again a two faced chancer fools the masses with the help of PR teams and compliant media. Yvonne has made the right decision

Wow! Francine Cornell is utterly gorgeous. I've never seen a girl as hot as Francine, except maybe me. It's not hard to see why he was drawn to her. Plus his wife was getting boring, monotonous and predictable, by that stage. These things happen. Don't pretend to be shocked.- Lucy, Brentwood., 1/4/2012 9:49 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lucy, you're blind AND dumb if you think Francine is 'utterly gorgeous' and such a role model. I can tell from reading your post that you're probably just like her...going around stelling other women's men because you're insecure, can't catch a single guy and somehow think its okay to do. * eye roll * Oh man. And YOU talk about predictable....

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