"Olivier Martinez and Kylie Minogue have officially confirmed that they are no longer a couple, " the pair said in a joint statement. "They have made it clear that the decision to go their separate ways was mutual and amicable, " adding that "the media's false accusations of disloyalty have saddened them both. The two remain very close friends."

It was claimed last weekend that the couple's four-year relationship was on the rocks and alleged that Martinez, 41, had been unfaithful.

Minogue, 38, who is back on tour following treatment for breast cancer discovered in mid2005, has spoken in glowing terms of Martinez's support for her after her diagnosis with cancer in May 2005 and how he helped her through the darkest days of her treatment.