Boyzone singer Ronan Keating has separated from his wife Yvonne after 12 years of marriage, it was announced today.
A statement issued on the couple’s behalf said: “With great sadness, Ronan and Yvonne Keating today announce their separation.
“The separation is amicable and they will continue to work together in order to provide the best for their children. The family ask for privacy at this difficult time.”
A spokesman said there would be no further comment.
The couple became friends as teenagers in Ireland and married in April 1998 while on holiday on the island of Nevis in the Caribbean, after a short romance. The couple have three children.
Keating (33) said that beginning a relationship with Yvonne led him to give up the one-night stands and wild parties he enjoyed as a young man on tour with Boyzone, saying that at that moment “everything changed”.
The singer has carved out a successful solo career, selling more than 22 million records around the world. He is in the Guinness Book of Records as the only artist ever to have 30 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK charts.
His career highlights also include winning Ivor Novello and BMI songwriting awards.
Keating last year lost his close friend and Boyzone bandmate Stephen Gately.
She won’t thank me for this but I think she looks like a post facelift Linda Martin.
A salutary tale in getting married too young. 21, shur you don’t know your arse from your elbow at that age, I shudder to think of the woman I’d be stuck with now if I married my love interest at 21… Actually she was hot and a teacher, looking on Facebook there she still has a cracking figure too… Feck.
