Imbruglia separates from husband

Imbruglia rose to fame after appearing in Neighbours

Pop star Natalie Imbruglia has split from her husband, rock singer Daniel Johns, after four years of marriage, it has been announced.

The 32-year-old singer said she and the Silverchair frontman had grown apart due to the pressures of work.

"We want to make it clear that our parting is amicable and we remain friends," the pair said in a joint press statement.

The couple met in 1999 and wed on New Year's Eve in 2003.

'Difficult decision'

"This mutual decision has not been taken lightly or quickly," they added.

"However, our career demands and our lives in different parts of the world have brought us to the point where unfortunately this difficult decision was necessary for both of us.

"We have simply grown apart through not being able to spend enough time together.

"We have issued this statement to set the record straight and to eliminate any need for speculation."

Former soap star Imbruglia has been based in the UK while Johns has been living for much of the time in Australia.

After shooting to fame in Australian soap Neighbours, Imbruglia swapped her TV career for music.

Her debut album, Left Of Middle, which was released in 1997, sold six million copies worldwide.