Pop Diva Kylie, Model Gooding Split

By Stephen M. Silverman

05/03/2002 at 01:00 PM EDT

Another relationship bites the dust: Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue, 33, and her tall, dark and handsome British male model boyfriend, James Gooding, age unreported, announced on Thursday that they have split, reports the Associated Press. They had been together for 2 1/2 years and are blaming their "hectic work schedules" for the breakup, according to a statement issued on Minogue's behalf. "They still love each other, and it is an entirely amicable split. Contrary to media reports, there is and never has been any truth to marriage, pregnancy or infidelity stories. Therefore, they play no part in this decision,'' said the statement. Minogue, who recently broke into the U.S. Billboard Top 10 with her single "Can't Get You Out of My Head" and debuted at No. 3 with her album "Fever," is currently on a tour in Britain - where tabloids have been reporting on Gooding's purported stepping out with other women. Only this past February, Minogue had told the BBC that she was "sure" she would end up settling down with Gooding and getting married. Asked if she would tie on knot on television (specifically, the BBC's "The Parkinson Show"), she replied, "I think so . . . yes. I always try and not say yes or no, because who knows? But I'm sure it will happen." Famous last words.