Saduf Maruf: Rod and Rachel have no immediate plans to divorce

Many believed the long-established singer had been tamed by the 28-year-old New Zealand model, with whom he has two young children, Renee, six, and four-year-old Liam.

But the couple announced their split in a brief joint statement issued through 53-year-old Stewart's American management company.

Rachel became his wife in 1990, when he was 45 and she was 21.

No immediate plans to divorce

Stewart, a football fanatic and devoted Scotland fan, romanced his way through the sixties and seventies with a string of actresses and models.

Women he has been associated with include Britt Ekland, The Woman in Red star Kelly Le Brock, model Dee Harrington and Alana Hamilton, whom he married and divorced.

He has a daughter, Ruby, with model Kelly Emberg and also has two children, Sean,17, and Kimberley,19, with Alana.

The statement said: "After eight years of marriage Rod Stewart and his wife Rachel Hunter have formally announced their separation.

"There are no immediate plans for the couples' divorce."