Kate Thornton splits from fiance

Kate Thornton has separated from her fiance after almost seven years together.

The 37-year-old TV presenter - who took on the role of co-anchor of ITV 1's 'Loose Women' with Andrea McLean last year - revealed on the show today (03.02.11) that she and partner DJ Darren Emerson split some time ago, but have remained close in order to protect their two-year-old son Ben.

She said: "As you ladies are aware I separated from Darren some time ago and we have worked through this together. We have come to terms with it now and are now able to speak about it. Every relationship where a child is involved is born out of love. There is a little boy in the middle and he has to come first. There is an overwhelming emotion of sadness but it doesn't make me want to scream and shout. It makes me want to learn from it."

Kate and Darren started dating in 2004 and got engaged in 2007.

Before joining 'Loose Women', Kate was famously fired by Simon Cowell from her role as presenter of the UK's 'X Factor' and replaced with Dermot O' Leary in 2007.

She has repeatedly blasted Simon for her sacking, claiming he only did so to generate publicity.

She once said: "I'll never talk to Simon again. He fired me to create headlines without even telling me beforehand, when we had been good friends.

"I wouldn't watch the show now because it would be like seeing your ex-boyfriend with his new girlfriend."