Britney Spears has announced she has broken off her engagement to Jason Trawick. The 31-year-old released a statement saying "Jason and I have decided to call off our engagement. I will always adore him and we will remain great friends. "Whilst the sad news comes just over a year after the couple announced their plans to marry in December 2011 the couple have proved the split is an amicable one. Forty-one-year-old Jason spoke highly of the singer and her family saying "As this chapter ends for us a new one begins. I love and cherish her and her boys and we will be close forever. "Jeff Raymond, Britney's representative, confirmed the news saying "Britney Spears and Jason Trawick have mutually agreed to end their one year engagement. As two mature adults, they came to the difficult decision to go their separate ways while continuing to remain friends."
There had been hints that all was not well with the couple when Britney was pictured out and about in Los Angeles a week ago notably not wearing her engagement ring. The Toxic singer also recently changed management meaning Jason was no longer acting as her manager. Reports suggest that the couple have been more like close friends in recent months and are determined to maintain this friendship despite no longer being romanitcally linked.Britney and Jason's split is not the only big change for the singer as 2013 gets underway. The Mississippi-born star also announced on Friday that she is stepping down from her judging role on the X Factor. "I had an incredible time doing the show and I love the other judges" she said "and I am so proud of my teens but it's time to get back in the studio."Love blossomed between the two in July 2009, when Jason was Britney's agent. Friends praised New York-born Jason's relationship with Britney's sons Sean Preston and Jayden James. Once with Jason the Overprotected hit-maker stepped out of the media spotlight, helping her to recover from the metal illness that left her hospitalised in 2008. There is little doubt amongst Britney supporters just how integral Jason has been to the star's dramatic turnaround in recent years.
Now a happy foursome Britney and Jason enjoyed spending time as a family, including a holiday to Australia at the end of 2009 although they had yet to officially confirm their relationship. At the Grammy Award in January 2010 the couple arrived together and in May they announced Jason would be stepping down from his position as his girlfriend's manager so they could focus on their personal relationship.
In December 2010 Britney set the rumour mill turning when she posted a photograph on her Twitter accound that showed her wearing an engagement ring. Britney, who was previously married to Kevin Federline, the father of her children, commented that she had thought about marrying again and expanding her family. News of the couple's split means this may not happen in the imediate future but the star will be working on her eigth album in the coming year.