Heartbreak for The Voice judge as he announces divorce from wife

Some sad news coming from across the pond today as it's been confirmed that singer Blake Shelton is splitting from his wife of four years, Miranda Lambert.

Blake, known for his role as a judge on The Voice US alongside Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Pharrell among others, announced the news this evening to AP via a joint statement with Miranda. 

"This is not the future we envisioned," the statement reads. "And it is with heavy hearts that we move forward separately." The couple also asked that their privacy be respected at this no doubt difficult time, adding, "We are real people, with real lives, with real families, friends and colleagues. Therefore, we kindly ask for privacy and compassion concerning this very personal matter."

Blake and Miranda had their fourth wedding anniversary just two months ago, but given today's divorce announcement it seems like things may have been rocky for some time before that.

TMZ first reported on the divorce rumours earlier today, before any statement was released. It seems the pair filed their divorce documents quite some time ago, and a judge is expected to officially end the marriage today.

The couple, both country singers, married in Texas in 2011. This will be Blake's second divorce, after he split from his first wife Kaynette Gern in 2006.

Neither Blake or Miranda have addressed the split on social media as yet, though they have both been active on Twitter over the past 24 hours.