Steps' Faye Tozer 'splits from husband of 16 years and moves out of family home'

The nineties pop legend and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Faye Tozer has reportedly split from her husband Michael Smith. The 49-year-old is believed to have moved out of the family home in South Tyneside just weeks before Christmas. The couple, who share a teenage son, reside in the quiet village near the northeast coast. Her husband sparked fears for their 16-year marriage after sharing a post about heartbreak on social media last year. Days before celebrating her birthday in November, Michael, 43, shared a post about heartbreak. The post read: "I met you when I was not looking for you and lost when I loved you the most."

Before this he shared a snap of Banksy's famous broken heart with a bandaid labelled "closed for repairs". When approached by regarding their relationship, Michael cryptically said: "We're going through some things and trying to work some stuff out. That's all I will say."

A source told the publication: "It just seemed to happen out of the blue. They always used to be so lovely, both really nice people. It's such shame.'

A neighbour said: "Faye and Michael haven't been doing the simple things that they enjoyed together around here for so long."

Express Online have approached Faye Tozer's representatives for comment.

The singer, who rose to fame in the popular 90s group Steps, tied the knot with Michael at Beamish Hall, County Durham, in December 2009.

Faye was previously married to first Danish rock drummer Jasper Irn, 59, but they called time on their relationship after 10 years together.

The couple, who married in 2002 in Dunstable, Beds, were married for five years.

Meanwhile, the singer is about to join the cast of Diamonds and Dust at the Emerald Theatre in London's West End, alongside burlesque queen Dita Von Teese.

She will play Miss Kitty LeRoy in the show's world premier, which begins on June 16.