Avril Lavigne confirms Whibley split

Avril Lavigne has confirmed that she is splitting from Sum 41's Deryck Whibley after three years of marriage.

The 'Sk8er Boi' singer, 24, announced the news on her blog and claimed that the couple have remained close friends.

"Deryck and I have been together for six and a half years. We have been friends since I was 17, started dating when I was 19, and married when I was 21," she wrote.

"I am grateful for our time together, and I am grateful and blessed for our remaining friendship. I admire Deryck and have a great amount of respect for him. He is the most amazing person I know, and I love him with all my heart. Deryck and I are separating and moving forward on a positive note.

"Thank you to all my family, friends and fans for all your support."

Reports that the pair were having marriage difficulties first surfaced in March, when they allegedly had a fight in a Los Angeles nightclub.

According to Us magazine, Whibley is "crushed" by the popstar's decision to leave him.