Kylie and partner announce split

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Singer Kylie Minogue and her boyfriend Olivier Martinez have split up after four years, it has been announced.

The 38-year-old pop star and the French actor, 41, issued a joint statement to confirm they were no longer a couple.

They said "false accusations" in the media of disloyalty have saddened them but the decision to separate was mutual and they remained "very close friends".

Minogue returned to the stage last year after her recovery from breast cancer and is working on new material.

New tracks

The couple's statement read: "Olivier Martinez and Kylie Minogue have officially confirmed that they are no longer a couple.

"They have made it clear that the decision to go their separate ways was mutual and amicable.

"The media's false accusations of disloyalty have saddened them both. The two remain very close friends."

Minogue was forced to postpone her Showgirl world tour after she was diagnosed with cancer in May 2005.

She began performing again in her native Australia in November and is currently on the UK leg of the tour.

Record company Parlophone has said new tracks could be released later this year.