Cheryl and Liam Payne have just opened up about their split

'We still have so much love for each other as a family'

2018 seems like the year of high profile celebrity break ups, from Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan and Ariana Grande and Mac Miller to Dominic Cooper and Ruth Negga and Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid - although according to recent news, there might be hope for the last two!

The latest celebrity couple to add their names to the growing list of 2018 splits is Cheryl and Liam Payne, who announced their separation this morning in a heartbreaking post, just one day after the former Girls Aloud singer's birthday.

'We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways,' the couple posted to their fans in matching Twitter statements. 'It's been a tough decision for us to make. We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together.'

The unlikely couple reportedly split two weeks ago, ending their two and a half year relationship.

The couple share their son, Bear, born in March 2017, referred to in their statements as '[their] world'.

Well that's some very sad news to start the week.

Our thoughts are with Cheryl and Liam.