Robin Thicke and Paula Patton have split

Robin Thicke and Paula Patton have split after eight years of marriage.

The Blurred Lines singer and Baggage Claim  actress were rumoured to be on the rocks following Thicke's controversial performance with Miley Cyrus at the VMAs, a photo showing Thicke with his hand on a woman's behind, and a report that claimed Thicke cheated on Patton at a party.

"It has been a long time coming," a source told Us Weekly.

  "It is not a shock to Robin or Paula, and it is something they have discussed for a long time."

In a joint statement, the couple confirmed their split:

"We will always love each other and be best friends. However, we have mutually decided to separate at this time."

At the time of the controversial VMAs performance, the couple defended their marriage in multiple interviews. Paula told E! News, "it doesn't affect me at all any more". 

"It's just so funny because when I saw him perform I was like, 'You guys killed it!' We hugged each other, we went out, celebrated. The next day, my cell phone [has] all these texts: 'Praying for you.' 'If you need to talk, I'm here.'"

She added, "Why are people making such a big deal about it? Quite frankly, all my friends dance like that with him. He's like the guy that you can dance with, 'cause he's safe!"

Robin told Oprah Winfrey:

"You take it one day at a time…we're no different than any other couple out there, we have our fights and our problems, but we are madly in love and can't quit each other...I would be lost without her."Thicke and Patton met in 1993 at high school when Thicke was only 14 years old, and the couple had stayed together ever since.