THEIR split may have come as a surprise to many, including close friends.

But DJ Glenn Ong said it has been a while since he and fellow celebrity wife Jamie Yeo had decided on the breakup.

'Jamie and I thought long and hard about it. If it didn't happen now, it could've happened in 10 or 20 years,' the Class 95 radio DJ said yesterday.

'We've drifted apart and we have different goals. The split was amicable and we still talk.

'In fact, Jamie and I don't quarrel. Thank goodness we didn't have one of those bitter fights that some couples had,' he said.

Jamie is an ESPN Star Sports presenter.

The couple started dating in 2001 and got married in 2004.

They were known to have a strong relationship and were openly affectionate throughout the eight years they were together.

Glenn, 38, was hosting a Burger King Valentine's Day roadshow at Liat Towers with fellow Class 95 DJ Carol Smith when The New Paper on Sunday caught up with him yesterday.

Friendly as always and spotting his signature tinted spectacles, a smiling Glenn greeted this reporter and gladly answered questions, even though he did not divulge details.

He, however, revealed that he has moved out of their matrimonial apartment in East Coast and is living alone in a newly-purchased home.

Glenn also defended his decision to announce the breakup on Friday morning during Class 95's Morning Express show, which he hosts with Mark van Cuylenburg, better known as the Flying Dutchman.

He said he and Jamie had discussed the on-air announcement and agreed on it a while ago.

He said: 'We are a high-profile couple and that was one of our considerations when we were deciding how we would break the news.

'We'll rather the public hear it from us than have to find out through an external source. It was also our way of informing the media because we know some reporters listen to the Morning Express.

'What if we'd started dating someone else and the public who doesn't know anything sees us? We don't want any misunderstandings.

'I don't want to live a lie. In fact, I feel better now that it's out.'

Following his announcement, MediaCorp Radio issued a press release, confirming that the couple 'have officially filed for separation and have been living apart for a while'.

Although it had been only a day since the news broke, it was work as usual for Glenn, who sounded chirpy throughout the two-hour Burger King roadshow.

He and Carol conducted games and eating competitions, and gave away Burger King vouchers.

During the show, Glenn frequently teased lovers who were invited onstage to a kissing booth where polaroids of them locking lips were taken.

Then a passer-by with a copy of yesterday's The New Paper - which had the breakup on the front page - approached him.

Glenn shook hands with the reader, as if to thank the latter for his concern.

When asked if it was too soon for him to return to work, Glenn said he had to fulfil his work commitments.

He said: 'It's strange for me to be doing a Valentine's Day event, right? No one forced me to take up this job.

'I could've said no. But I've never let matters of the heart affect work.

'Since Friday's announcement, I've received numerous calls and SMSes from friends expressing their concern. People think I'm dying and want to kill myself. But I've had time to adjust before breaking the news.'

Burger King marketing manager Celia Ho, who found out about the split from newspaper reports before the event, was not worried that the roadshow would be affected.

Although this Valentine's Day seemed to be a bittersweet event for Glenn, he still has fond memories of his time with Jamie.

He said: 'I still think Jamie is a great girl. I hope she still thinks I'm a great guy.'

And what about Fudge, their 7-year-old pet Jack Russell terrier which the couple affectionately calls 'our boy'?

Glenn said: 'Jamie gets Fudge. We've made arrangements for me to take him out too.'

This article was first published in The New Paper.