Rachel Stevens is launching a solo career

The pair, who have been together for three years, issued a statement asking for breathing space to be able to work through their problems.

"We have been experiencing difficulties in our relationship and we don't know what the future holds," they said.

Stevens, 24, is launching a solo career with pop mogul Simon Fuller after S Club split up earlier this year.

A model before S Club began their career in 1999, she has been a favourite of the tabloid press, and was voted the sexiest woman in Britain by a men's magazine.

Edwards made his name in BBC One hospital drama Holby City, but the 32-year-old actor quit recently to develop his career.

In their statement, the couple appealed for the media to leave them alone while they dealt with their problems.

"Hopefully people will respect our privacy right now whilst we work through this together."