KANYE WEST - KANYE WEST AND EX-FIANCEE 'REMAIN FRIENDS' AFTER SPLIT

Kanye West and his fiancee Alexis Phifer have ended their engagement after 18 months, she has confirmed.

The Stronger star and designer Phifer have dated since 2002 and became engaged when West proposed during a vacation on the Italian island of Capri in August 2006.

But with West reportedly concentrating on his Glow in the Dark tour in the US, the couple have spent less time together of late and the Chicago rapper has now called off the engagement.

Speaking to Us Weekly magazine, Phifer admitted the breakup had been difficult to cope with.

"It's been hard and not been an easy time. I tried to keep things private but yes, it's sad when things end like this," she explained.

"We truly do remain friends," she added.

"I wish him the best in his future and all of his endeavours. He's one of the most talented people I've ever met, that's for sure."

Us quotes a source 'close to the couple' as saying: "Kanye is possessed by the tour and everything going on and just couldn't keep it going. They are still friends and have broken up and gotten back together before, so it could work out."

The pair broke up briefly in 2004 after West began dating MTV assistant Brooke Crittendon.

"Alexis still doesn't really know what happened," the source added. "It's like she lost her best friend too. Things may change one day... It's just a rough time right now."

It was believed West and Phifer had been planning a winter wedding before the death of West's mother Donda in November last year.