In a statement that has sent shockwaves through the showbiz world, Katie Price and her toyboy boyfriend Lee Andrews have officially announced they are going their separate ways — but insist there is “no bitterness” and they will “always remain good friends”.

The couple, who went public with their whirlwind romance in early 2024, dropped the bombshell via a joint Instagram post late last night, accompanied by a throwback photo of them smiling on a sun-soaked beach in Thailand.

“We’ve decided to go our separate ways — but we’ll always remain good friends,” the message read in simple white text on a black background. “We’ve shared some incredible times together and we wish each other nothing but happiness moving forward. Please respect our privacy at this time.”

The carefully worded post — liked by more than 250,000 people within the first hour — was accompanied by a single red heart emoji from both accounts.

But behind the polished, amicable facade, friends close to the pair have told Daily Mail the split has been brewing for months, fuelled by clashing lifestyles, Katie’s relentless work schedule, and the 14-year age gap that finally proved too much to bridge.

So what really went wrong for the 47-year-old glamour model and the 33-year-old personal trainer? And what does the future hold for Britain’s most talked-about mum-of-five and her latest ex?

The romance that captivated the nation

Katie Price and Lee Andrews first sparked romance rumours in January 2024 when they were spotted leaving a gym together in Essex, both wearing matching black athleisure wear and looking noticeably smitten.

At the time, Katie — fresh from yet another turbulent chapter in her chaotic love life — described Lee as “the kindest, most grounded man I’ve ever met”.

He was a far cry from the flashy footballers, strippers and cage fighters who had populated her previous relationships. Lee, a qualified PT from Essex with his own successful online fitness business, was quiet, private and seemingly unfazed by Katie’s fame, her army of ex-husbands or her very public financial troubles.

By Valentine’s Day 2024 they were official. Katie posted a gushing carousel of photos: the pair cuddling on a sofa, Lee cooking her a “healthy” roast dinner, and a romantic weekend away in the Cotswolds.

“I’ve finally found my peace,” she told OK! magazine in an exclusive interview that summer. “Lee doesn’t want the spotlight. He just wants me — the real me, not Jordan, not the brand, just Katie.”

Sources say Lee moved into her sprawling Mucky Mansion in Horsham, West Sussex, within months. He quickly bonded with her younger children — Bunny, 10, and Max, 17 — and was even spotted helping with the school run and walking her beloved dogs.

For a while, it looked like the fairytale ending Katie had been chasing since her split from Kieran Hayler in 2018 and her short-lived marriage to Kris Boyson.

Friends described them as “solid”. Lee was said to have helped Katie through her latest bankruptcy proceedings and encouraged her to focus on her OnlyFans empire and mental health.

In October 2024 they jetted off to Thailand for a luxury holiday that Katie documented heavily on social media — the same trip featured in last night’s break-up post.

The cracks that began to show

But according to multiple insiders, the cracks started appearing as early as last summer.

“Lee is very fitness-focused and quite reserved,” one close friend of the couple told Daily Mail. “Katie’s life is non-stop chaos — TV appearances, OnlyFans shoots, court cases, kids’ activities, constant media attention. He tried to keep up, but it exhausted him.

“There were rows about her posting too much online about their relationship. Lee hated the attention. He wanted a quiet life; she needs the validation of likes and comments.”

Another source added: “The age gap started to matter more than either of them admitted. Katie is 47 and has been through ten marriages or engagements. Lee is 33 and still wanted to go out with his mates, travel, live a normal young man’s life. She wanted to settle down and focus on the kids and business.”

Insiders claim the final straw came during Christmas 2025 when Lee spent the festive period with his own family in Essex while Katie stayed at Mucky Mansion with her children and extended family.

“They barely saw each other over the holidays,” a source revealed. “Katie felt abandoned. Lee felt suffocated. When he came back in January they had a series of huge rows. She accused him of not being committed enough. He said he needed space.”

By mid-February the decision had been made. Friends say the split was “mutual and mature” — a far cry from Katie’s previous explosive break-ups involving police call-outs, restraining orders and screaming matches.

Katie’s statement — and what she’s really thinking

In a separate Instagram Story posted hours after the joint announcement, Katie shared a cryptic black-and-white photo of herself looking pensively out of a window with the caption: “New chapter. Same queen.”

She has since turned off comments on all her posts — a rare move for the usually attention-hungry star.

A source close to Katie told Daily Mail: “She’s hurting more than she’s letting on. Lee was the first man in years who didn’t want anything from her — no fame, no money, no drama. But in the end that was part of the problem. She thrives on chaos. He wanted calm. They just wanted different things at this stage in their lives.”

Katie’s friends insist there is no third party involved on either side — “at least not yet”.

Lee’s side of the story

Lee has remained silent since the announcement, deleting several old photos of the couple from his Instagram but keeping the joint break-up post up.

A friend of Lee’s said: “He’s gutted but relieved. He genuinely cared about Katie and adored her kids, especially Bunny. But he couldn’t handle the constant spotlight and the pressure of being ‘Katie Price’s boyfriend’. He wants to focus on his fitness business and maybe meet someone more low-key.”

Lee is said to have already moved back to his own flat in Essex and is throwing himself into work, with plans to launch a new online training programme next month.

What the split means for Katie’s children

Katie’s five children — Harvey, 23, Junior, 20, Princess, 18, Jett, 12, and Bunny, 10 — have had a front-row seat to their mother’s turbulent love life.

Insiders say the younger ones, Jett and Bunny, had grown close to Lee and are “sad but understanding”.

“Lee was like a big brother to them,” one family friend said. “He took them to the park, helped with homework, played football with Jett. They’ll miss him.”

Harvey, who has complex needs, is said to be unaffected as he lives in his own supported accommodation.

Junior and Princess — now both adults with their own burgeoning careers in modelling and music — are reportedly “used to it” and have told their mum they just want her to be happy.

Katie’s chequered love history — the full timeline

This is the latest chapter in Katie’s long and very public relationship rollercoaster.

She married Peter Andre in 2005 after meeting on I’m A Celebrity… (divorced 2009). Then came Kieran Hayler in 2013 (married 2013, divorced 2018 after multiple cheating scandals). Short-lived romances with Kris Boyson, Carl Woods and others followed, none lasting more than a year.

Her 2021 engagement to Carl Woods ended in spectacular fashion with restraining orders and bitter social media spats.

Lee was meant to be different — the “normal” one who could finally give her the stability she craved.

Instead, he becomes number 12 (or 13, depending who you ask) on her very long list of exes.

Financial implications and what happens next

Katie’s empire — built on books, clothing lines, beauty products and OnlyFans — remains huge, but she has faced multiple bankruptcies and is still paying off debts.

Friends say the split won’t affect her financially as Lee had no involvement in her businesses.

She is already rumoured to be lining up a new reality TV series about “single life at 47” and is in talks for a tell-all book about her search for love.

As for romance, Katie has always bounced back quickly. Sources say she is “open to dating” but wants to focus on herself and her children for the next few months.

Lee, meanwhile, is said to be “taking time for himself” and has been spotted at the gym looking focused and happy.

Fans react with shock and support

The news has divided Katie’s loyal army of fans.

Many posted messages of support: “You deserve someone who matches your energy queen! 💔”

Others were more sceptical: “Here we go again… how many is this now? 😂”

Celebrity friends have stayed largely silent, though her long-time pal Kerry Katona liked the break-up post within minutes.

A surprisingly mature ending

For once in Katie Price’s dramatic love life, there are no screaming headlines about cheating, no leaked messages, no police involvement.

Just two adults who tried, gave it their best shot, and decided to walk away before things turned toxic.

As one insider put it: “They both know how ugly things can get when Katie’s relationships end badly. This time they chose peace. It’s actually quite grown-up.”

Whether that peace lasts, only time will tell.

Katie Price has built a career — and a fortune — on turning her personal chaos into public entertainment.

Lee Andrews wanted a quiet life away from the cameras.

In the end, those two worlds simply couldn’t coexist.

For now, they part as friends.

But in Katie’s world, “just friends” has never stayed that way for long.

Daily Mail will bring you every update on Katie and Lee’s next moves, any new romance rumours, and how the children are coping with yet another split.

Katie, whatever happens next — we’ll be watching.