26 MARCH 2004
One of Hollywood's most glamorous couples, Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz, have broken up. The pair, who first met on the set of the film Vanilla Sky, have decided to go their separate ways after three years together.

According to Tom's publicist, Lee Anne DeVitte, the stars "broke up at the end of January and it's amicable". Penny's spokesman meanwhile denied reports the Minority Report actor's religion had been a factor in the break-up. Robert Garlock did confirm, however, the Spanish beauty had undertaken courses in Scientology and decided not to become a follower. He went on to confirm that neither Tom nor Pen is dating anyone else and they "remain good friends".

The hectic demands of their respective careers is thought to have put a strain on the romance. They were forced to spend most of last year apart, as Tom was in New Zealand filming The Last Samurai and Penelope was busy in Europe and Canada.

And it looks likely that the months ahead will be just as feverish. Tom's schedule includes the third instalment in the Mission: Impossible series and the World War II drama Ghost Soldiers. Penelope is meanwhile starring alongside Charlize Theron in Head In The Clouds, before embarking on Sahara with Matthew McConaughey.