Ricky Martin has split from his long-term boyfriend

Los Angeles -  Ricky Martin has split from his long-term boyfriend.

The Livin' La Vida Loca hitmaker - who has five-year-old twins, Matteo and Valentino, born via surrogate in August 2008 - and his partner Carlos Gonzalez have called time on their relationship after almost five years together.

A spokesperson for the 42-year-old star - who announced he was homosexual in 2010 after years of speculation - told People.com: "Ricky and Carlos have mutually agreed to end their relationship but continue to be united by friendship and their shared experiences."

A source close to the duo hinted in November that all was not well between them.

The insider said: "They've spent very little time together and have grown apart. They've been on the outs for a while now."

The Latin heartthrob previously gushed about Carlos and praised him for supporting him.

He told Vanity Fair magazine last April: "I have experienced wonderful things with my partner. Complexity, understanding, and, at the same time, freedom, not being afraid that your partner is judging you. That is what I have found with Carlos."

He added: "We're going on four years together ... When I started the process with my sons, Carlos wasn't in my life. He said: 'I'm looking for a boyfriend, not a father with a family.' And I said to him: 'You've found a grown-up, full-fledged man.' I created a family structure and if he didn't understand he'd ask me questions and we were on our way."