The 42-year-old star - who was born a woman named Chastity and began gender reassignment surgery around three years ago - and his fiancee Jennifer Elia have called time on their 12-year romance, but are said to be leaving the relationship with "great love" for each other.

Chaz`s representative, Howard Bragman, said in a statement to TMZ: "Chaz and Jennifer are no longer a couple.

"They leave this relationship with great love, respect and affection toward one another. No further amplification will be forthcoming and they ask that you respect their privacy at this time."

The longterm couple - who had been dating since 1999 - had been hoping to tie the knot "within a year".

Speaking earlier this year, Chaz - the son of `Believe` hitmaker Cher and her late ex-husband Sonny Bono - explained: "We`ve been engaged actually for two years and have kind of had to put things on hold a little bit.

"I would say within a year, definitely. Not to make excuses, but we went through a lot. I transitioned. She went to grad school. Then, you know, we were making the film. And I wrote the book.

"It was a lot. Now I feel like once this is over, we can sit down and plan a wedding."
sections: Celebrities