S CLUB 7 star Rachel Stevens has split from her Dancing On Ice boyfriend – meaning she is single for the first time in 20 years.
The star, 47, separated from American pro Brendyn Hatfield just nine months after branding him her "soulmate".
Sources claim the pair drifted apart – and struggled to reconcile their "blended family".
News of the separation comes three years on from the end of her marriage to childhood sweetheart, Alex Bourne.
A friend said: "It is incredibly sad and a relatively recent thing.
"Both Rachel and Brendyn felt there was no way forward for them.
"Rachel recently took herself to Marbella with her two daughters to get some much-needed headspace, and Brendyn and his young son have now moved out of the family home into a flat.
"There is still a lot of affection there, and no regrets.
"But it isn't easy trying to make a blended family run seamlessly and in the end, tensions between Rachel and Brendyn got too much and they don't ever want to row in front of their kids who remain their priority.
"It is obviously a huge transition for Rachel who has efefctively been in a relationship for the past two decades – but she will doubtless be inundated with offers now she's back on the market.
"It is heartbreaking but Rachel and Brendyn hope to maintain a friendship."
The couple first went official with their romance in November 2022.
The news came months after being partnered together on ITV's Dancing on Ice.
The popular singer, who won two Brit awards alongside her S Club 7 bandmates, had announced her split from estate agent Alex in July of that year, just one month shy of their 13th wedding anniversary.
In May, Rachel, who has two daughters, Amelie and Millie, with Alex – who re-married in January – replied to a fans' Q&A on Instagram, asking how her boyfriend was.
Alongside a sweet snap of herself and Brendyn – who has a young son from a previous relationship – responded: "Really good thank you" alongside a smiley love heart emoji.
Although the couple still follow one another on Instagram, the last time Rachel posted about her one-time partner was in January, to mark the skater's 40th birthday.
She wrote: "Celebrating my today. My love, my soul mate. Happiest of birthdays my darling and welcome to the 40s club.
"Hope this is your best decade yet full of everything you wish for. I love you with all my heart."
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