Denise Richards and Richie Sambora have confirmed they’ve split up.

The couple got together after separating from their respective spouses - Charlie Sheen and Heather Locklear - early last year but according to Denise’s spokesperson, finished in March. The rep added that “timing” was to blame for the decision.

A source told In Touch magazine that they decided to stay quiet about their split until now because of the press attention it would cause: “They didn’t want to make it public because they lived through public divorces and it was very painful.”

The source added that the pair are still close friends with Denise supporting the Bon Jovi guitarist after his father died last month following a long battle with lung cancer: “She stayed with him in New Jersey for two weeks for the wake and the funeral.”

A source close to Denise told People magazine that the Starship Troopers star instigated the split: “Denise ended things but wanted to be there for him as a friend.”

A source close to Richie added that the split was “amicable”: “She came to the funeral to support him. He needs to focus on his daughter Ava and wishes Denise and her kids all the best.”