Alex Best has announced her separation from football legend George

Former Northern Ireland soccer legend George Best has separated from his wife Alex.

In a statement, 31-year-old Alex said she said would be living apart from her 57-year-old husband, but would continue to support him.

The couple had been married for eight years but Alex said it was "not right" for them to remain together.

"It is with deep sadness that I have to announce my separation from George Best," Tuesday's statement read.

"I have tried to be there for him during his recent well-catalogued problems, but the situation is now that it is not right for us to be together at this time.

"I have always supported George and always will but for the present we will be living separate lives."

Best, who is now living in Surrey, has fought a well-chronicled battle with alcohol.

Best's battle with alcohol has overshadowed his footballing career

He had been waiting about seven months for a suitable liver, after causing irreparable damage to his health from years of heavy drinking.

The former Manchester United star, who now works as a football pundit, underwent a liver transplant last year and vowed never to drink again.

However, in June following highly publicised drinking bouts, he was warned that it would be disastrous if he continued to take alcohol.

Last October, Best admitted in a television interview that his wife suffered a broken arm during a row.

Alex Best recounted how, in the blackest moments of his alcoholism, she would go two weeks without speaking to her husband.

Best has battled with drink all his life, getting arrested in 1984 for drink-driving and assaulting a police officer.