Australian pop singer Jessica said the Smashing Pumpkins singer has gone from "boyfriend" to just "friend" status after two years together.
She added to Australia`s Daily Telegraph newspaper: "It`s one of those things. It`s really difficult when you spend so much time apart."
Jessica is thought to be the inspiration behind The Smashing Pumpkins latest album, `Oceana`, while Billy contributed to the new Veronicas LP `Life on Mars`.
After fans of The Smashing Pumpkins took to twitter to criticise Jessica, Billy leapt to her defence, tweeting: "It seems some among you have construed that there is an issue between me and my ex @Jessicaeronica, some hidden thing.
"I`m taking to Twitter (because I see where she is being attacked here) and I ask that she be respected as a woman I love and admire. Although our relationship has ended, we remain the best of friends and I ask that if you respect me you`ll treat her with the same respect. (sic)"
Jessica responded to one nasty comment by writing: "This is real life. Not some accessory for you to play with and twist around. You know nothing."
Billy - who met Jessica when they had a songwriting session in 2010 - recently admitted he found it difficult dating her because of her bond with twin sister and Veronicas bandmate Lisa.
When asked by Australia`s Triple M radio if he was ready to marry he said: "Listen, you gotta take it up with the twins... When you have a relationship with the twin, you have to deal with the other twin and then you`ve got to deal with the twin you`re with.
"The funny thing is they`re both such different people but kind of ... One mind. But you kind of get the feeling they wouldn`t hesitate to kill you if you got in their way."
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