justin timberlake and jessica bielJustin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are reportedly on the verge of splitting up.

The couple, who began dating in January 2007, currently live together in Los Angeles but a friend told the Chicago Sun-Times: “Things are not going as smoothly as they would want people to think they are.

“I can always sense when Justin is beginning to get itchy in a relationship.

“While he’s still very public about being seen with Jessica, it’s interesting … He hardly talks about her when she’s not around.

“The same thing happened with Cameron Diaz, and it also was the case with Britney Spears.”

The source added that as is usual in celebrity relationships, their couple’s busy, competing work schedules are to blame but also Justin finds Jessica a little too “controlling”: “[But] she will do anything to keep Justin. She really loves him very much.”