Jessica And Nick: It's Over

Jessica Simpson and Nick LacheyRomantics everywhere, we advise you to sit down and take a deep breath.

The fairytale is over: Newlyweds stars Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey have split up.

After months of speculation, the couple have announced their separation.

Their publicists have issued a joint statement, according to CNN, which reads:

"After three years of marriage, and careful thought and consideration, we have decided to part ways.

"This is the mutual decision of two people with an enormous amount of respect and admiration for each other."

Before the announcement, both stars denied rumours that their marriage was on the rocks.

The couple's house, as featured in NewlywedsJessica told Teen People magazine: "Hopefully mine and Nick's story will continue for the rest of our lives, like what we vowed, through sickness and in health."

The couple married in 2002, and appeared in the MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica.