Neighbours star Stephanie McIntosh and her AFL player boyfriend Nick Riewoldt have split

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FOLLOWING months of persistent rumours their relationship was on the rocks, former Neighbours actress Stephanie McIntosh and her AFL star boyfriend Nick Riewoldt have split up after four years together.

They attempted to conduct the relationship long-distance for the past 12 months, with McIntosh pursuing her acting ambitions in LA and Riewoldt based in Melbourne as captain of St Kilda.

But at the weekend the pair were forced to admit that "yes, sadly, the rumours are true".

"Due to physical long distance, indefinite time apart and understanding the importance of each other's careers right now, we have mutually gone our separate ways," they said in a statement.

"This wasn't an easy decision, but one we've made together and we both support each other's dreams."

While it is not known how long ago the couple separated, McIntosh was photographed on Bondi Beach in January with Hollywood heart-throb and serious ladies' man Adrian Grenier.

McIntosh quickly said she and the Entourage star were "just friends" and stepped out with Riewoldt a few days later.

But judging by the statement the break-up was not recent. "We are still the best of friends and speak regularly," it said.

The couple struck up a friendship at the 2004 Brownlow Medal night but it wasn't until early 2005 that they revealed they had started seeing each other seriously, just before McIntosh became one of the leading stars on Neighbours.

Her mother Sue described the pair as "soul mates" and said her daughter wanted to spend more time in Australia but couldn't at the moment.

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