Ellie Goulding on a break from boyfriend

Singer Ellie Goulding and her musician boyfriend Dougie Poynter have reportedly decided to take a break from each other after hitting a rough patch in their relationship.

The Love Me Like You Do star began dating the McFly bassist two years ago, but with a new album to promote, it seems like work has come between the lovers.

"They are taking a break," a source told Britain's The Mirror newspaper. "Their work commitments have meant they have been spending more and more time away from each other and it has made it difficult to maintain their relationship. They've decided to have a temporary break to see if they can work things out.

"They are both very sad that things have hit a rough patch, but are trying to see if a little distance can help them get through it."

Ellie has spent the last couple of months touring her album, Delirium, in America and Europe, while Dougie is working on new music with his McFly bandmates in England as well as partaking in a spot of modelling.

"Globe trotting can really take its toll on any relationship, but it's especially hard when work regularly demands that both sides have to be away," the insider continued.

The timing of the break seems a little strange as just a few months ago Ellie, 28, revealed she could see herself spending the rest of her life with Dougie.

"He is definitely the one forever," she told Elle UK magazine. "He's been through a lot, and he has a quiet depth that I love, and you know what, when I was a teenager, I fancied him, but I thought he was out of my league. Way too good-looking for me."

Neither Ellie nor Dougie have confirmed the reports.