TEXAS singer Sharleen Spiteri has split up with her longtime partner ASHLEY HEATH, and the pair have been living apart for the past year.

The BLACK EYED BOY star has hit out, however, at reports the media mogul had cheated on her, insisting they simply drifted apart.

Heath, 36, is now in a relationship with journalist TAMARA ROTHSTEIN, but he and Spiteri had been maintaining a public image of togetherness for the sake of their three-year-old daughter MISTY KYD.

Spiteri's publicist William Rice confirms, "Sharleen and Ashley have been living apart since last year.

"Their number one priority is the happy and safe upbringing of their daughter."