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Charl tells Gav: 'I need time alone'

Charlotte Church’s friends and mum have begged her to go on a girlie break, saying time apart from boyfriend Gavin Henson may be just what they need to save their faltering relationship.

Tensions reached boiling point last week, with sources  claiming that Charlotte even asked Gavin to leave. The rugby star was then spotted with two black bags outside his parents’ home, fuelling rumours they may have parted.

But Charlotte’s mother Maria denies the couple have split, saying Gavin was simply carrying rubbish. She says: “Talk of a split is nonsense and Charl and Gav are enjoying their time together.”

However, friends close to the couple tell a different story. “Charlotte’s told Gavin their relationship has lost its spark,” a source says.

“Until recently she was dying for a proposal, but Gavin was dragging his heels. Everyone thought it would be him who walked away, but it’s Charlotte who’s had enough.”

The couple have been arguing for weeks over each other’s drinking and Gav’s reluctance to propose. They’ve even started rowing about household chores and having friends over.

A source says: “Charl won’t let him have friends over any more because she says she’s sick of tidying up after them.”

Since Gavin’s rugby career faltered earlier this year after an ankle injury, he’s become increasingly frustrated about being stuck at home.

The source says: “They just snipe at each other. The problem is Gavin is bored at home and Charl’s sick of him lying around doing nothing.

 “They’re devastated because they’re still deeply in love and want to make their relationship work for the kids. But they’ve realised that neither marriage nor more children will save their relationship at this moment.”
And pals say Gavin is distraught at how things are.

 “He’s been in tears and is at the lowest he’s ever been – some days he doesn’t even bother to get dressed,” the source adds.

“Charlotte keeps asking him to go to his mum’s for a few days. She’s finding his presence too much. But Gav’s determined not to leave because he wants to make the relationship work.”

Now pals have pleaded with Charlotte, 23, to get away from it all for a break before she ends things with Gavin, 27, for good.

“They’re happier when they are apart,” a pal adds. “Charl wants distance but Gavin won’t give it to her.”

Gavin has also become jealous of the attention Charlotte has been getting from the press and other men since she slimmed down from a size 16 to a 10.

“He’s not used to it as it’s normally him who gets all the comments,” an insider explains.

Despite the rows, friends and family hope they can work out things for the sake of their children – Dexter, 10 months, and Ruby, two.

The insider says: “Gavin’s mum has warned them that if they do split, it will be the kids who pay the ultimate price.”

By Laura Holland