Dannii Minogue ‘distraught’ over split

Dannii Minogue is reportedly "utterly distraught" following the breakdown of her relationship.

The Australian star has split from model Kris Smith, who she began dating in August 2008. The pair have a 20-month-old son called Ethan together and Dannii is said to be struggling to come to terms with the break-up.

"She is utterly distraught that her dreams have come crashing down around her," a source told British newspaper The Sun.

The pair are understood to have worked hard to stay together, although eventually their differences drove them apart. In June last year they released a statement insisting their relationship was on track following reports they had gone their separate ways.

"They used to talk about marriage and the future but recently it was all just bad vibes and blazing rows," the insider added.

"Dannii fought really hard to keep the family together for the sake of Ethan but her efforts haven't worked."

News of the split began to surface last night, with Dannii, 40, eventually taking to social networking website Twitter to confirm the speculation was correct.

"It brings me great sadness to tell you that Kris and I have separated," she wrote.

"We still care for each other and ask for privacy at this difficult time, in particular for our son Ethan who remains our number one priority."

She added she plans to take time away from Twitter as she recovers from her heartbreak.

Dannii and Kris live together in Melbourne, Australia. They shared a lavish home, but Kris has now moved out of the property.

Dannii has turned to her family for support in the wake of the rift. "Kris moved out of the house two weeks ago and Dannii's spending a lot of time with parents Ron and Carol. They live around the corner and they've really been there for her," a source told British newspaper The Daily Mail.

It's thought the couple's careers put pressure on their relationship. Dannii was a judge on the UK version of The X Factor when she met Kris, but left so they could both live in Australia together.

Dannii turned down a chance to return to The X Factor because she couldn't make the long-distance commute work.

"It was all about Kris. Dannii's career was most vibrant in the UK but she wanted her family to come first. So much was on Kris's terms," the source added.

"Dannii really didn't want to give up on them, but there comes a point when you have to admit defeat."