Flatley's romance falls flat

It's over: Michael Flatley with Lisa Murphy
The Weekender

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Michael Flatley has split up with his long-term girlfriend.

The billionaire dancer is said to have ended his relationship with Lisa Murphy two months ago.

But it was only last night that close friends confirmed they were no longer living together.

Flatley, 47, was said to be 'sad but philosophical' about the decision to end their romance.

He met Miss Murphy, a model, at a nightclub six years ago.

Yesterday a friend told the Daily Mail the Riverdance star had thought long and hard about staying in the relationship.

'But then in a candid moment Michael revealed to me what he really wants,' the friend said.

'He said that it was not just a long-term girlfriend like Lisa that he needed but something more.

He then turned to me and said, "I'm at a stage in my life when I want a wife and a family".'

Flatley, who was born in Chicago of Irish parents, comes from a large family which he describes as a 'typically Irish crew'.

'Ideally if I settled down with a wife I would love to form my own troupe of mini dancers!' he once said. Flatley and Miss Murphy lived together at his homes in London and Ireland.

They had briefly separated for a few months two years ago before being reunited.

Last month the Daily Mail serialised Flatley's autobiography, Lord of the Dance: My Story.

In the book he told of his relationship with Miss Murphy:

'Ours was never love at first sight,' he wrote.

'Our relationship developed slowly, an on-again, off-again relationship that I felt was all the more true and close for taking so long to find its way.'

Last night another of Flatley's friends said: 'This time the split is permanent.

'He is sad but philosophical about what has happened.' The couple had planned to marry at one stage. Flatley bought 33-year-old Miss Murphy a ten-carat diamond engagement ring worth more than £600,000. But the wedding never went ahead.

Flatley, who made his name and fortune as the brains (and body) behind the Riverdance and Lord of the Dance Celtic dancing shows, is said to be worth £1billion.

He is one of the highest selling VHS artists in the world.

He owns £40million Castlehyde - a 200 acre estate in Cork complete with its own salmon river.

More millions are said to have been spent renovating the castle which was built in 1745.

His latest show - Celtic Tiger - is to tour Britain later this month. Two shows at Wembley Arena have already sold out.

The dancer was married to Polish-born wife Beata.

The couple divorced in 1997 after 11 years of marriage.

Last night Flatley - who has been training for four hours a day in preparation for his latest stage show - refused to comment.

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