Lily Allen's age concern

Jan 12, 2009, 10:10 GMT

The 23-year-old singer has ended her brief romance with 45-year-old Jay Jopling because of the huge age gap and work pressures. © Solarpix / PR Photos

Lily Allen has split with her new boyfriend.

The 23-year-old singer has ended her brief romance with 45-year-old Jay Jopling because of the huge age gap and work pressures.

A source close to Lily - who was recently seen embracing the art dealer while on holiday in the Caribbean - said: "It was Lily's decision to split as she'll be away on tour a lot this year and wouldn't have seen Jay much.

"She also felt the age difference was too big. She thought both her and his friends disapproved and her dad Keith wasn't happy."

Despite the singer being seen on several occasions sporting a band on her ring finger, friends of Lily insist the relationship, which began shortly before Christmas, was never serious.

A source said: "It's all over - it was basically just a holiday romance. They have had a lot of fun together, but Lily has said it's finished."

Lily has recently overhauled her style and shed more than 14lbs in weight, and friends claim her make-over was inspired by her desire to date Jay - the estranged husband of artist Sam Taylor-Wood.

A friend said: "Lily had been on a mission to get Jay for more than four months.

"She never normally sticks to a diet or weight-loss plan but she was so determined to get Jay she managed it.

"She even changed her hair just for Jay."