Jon Gosselin and Colleen Conrad shock split: Jon & Kate Plus 8 star reveals he has broken up with partner of 7 years... after she announced breast cancer battle

• e-mail

Jon Gosselin revealed on Thursday that he and his girlfriend Colleen Conrad have split after seven years of dating.

The Jon & Kate Plus 8 star told The Sun that breaking up has not been easy.

'It’s really hard to even talk about it,' the former TLC reality TV star shared. 'It's sad.'

Jon has been married only once, to Kate Gosselin, whom he found fame with on Jon & Kate Plus 8. They divorced in 2009 after 10 years of marriage.  

This split news comes after Colleen revealed revealed she has been diagnosed with 'stage 2, triple-negative' breast cancer. 

They are done: Jon Gosselin revealed on Thursday that he and his girlfriend Colleen Conrad have split after seven years of dating. Jon and Colleen have known each other since their childhood days (Pictured, 2018) 

The Pennsylvania resident, who works in IT for Amazon, said he still cares for Colleen. 'When you’re with someone that long, especially in the public eye, and she’s someone private.' 

Jon also said that the split is not new as they broke up in February of this year. 

He shared that they started to have problems during COVID-19 as he had to be hospitalized when coming down with the virus. 'We had some struggles and we tried to push through them as best we could, but it didn't really work out the way we thought it would. 

'I still love and care for Colleen but we've both determined that it’s the natural end.'

And though he is looking forward to a 'fresh start,' he said he is still in pain.

'It's hard, it was a big decision. We have been together for seven years which is a long time, so it's very upsetting,' he explained.

'It's really hard to even talk about it. When you're with someone that long, especially in the public eye and she's someone private.' 

Sharing:  Conrad reveals she's been diagnosed with breast cancer (the couple pictured on Instagram last year) 

The duo tried everything to stay together, even therapy, he told the outlet. 

Jon has been married only once, to Kate Gosselin, whom he found fame with on Jon & Kate Plus 8. 

In 2000, their twin daughters, Cara Nicole and Madelyn Kate, were born.

In 2004, Kate gave birth to sextuplets: sons Aaden Jonathan, Collin Thomas, and Joel Kevin, and daughters Alexis Faith, Hannah Joy, and Leah Hope. 

Jon and Kate divorced in 2009 after 10 years of marriage. Most recently Kate starred in the reality dating series, Kate Plus Date, in 2019.

His old life: Jon has been married only once, to Kate Gosselin, whom he found fame with on Jon & Kate Plus 8. The former couple first welcomed their twins in 2001; the sextuplets followed in 2004. Jon and Kate divorced in 2009 after 10 years of marriage

This split news comes after Colleen revealed revealed she has been diagnosed with 'stage 2, triple-negative' breast cancer.     

The mother-of-two told fans in an emotional Instagram post on Saturday that she was diagnosed back in April, and underwent a single a single mastectomy last month. 

'I have been putting this off and debated even posting,' she began her post. 'I went for a mammogram on 4/15. I had put it off for almost 2 1/2 yrs due to lack of time and Covid and later got a call that a mass was found in my right breast.'

She continued: 'Everything after that happened so fast. Then on 4/21, I got the call that is confirmed it was cancer. Stage 2, triple-negative breast cancer. I was BRCA1 and 2 negative. Everything seemed so surreal.' 

Colleen explained that she is still waiting to see if she needs chemo. 

'I had a single mastectomy done on my right breast on 7/14/21 followed by a DIEP Flap procedure on 7/30/21 and I feel good. The DIEP flap was a personal choice for me . I am very happy with the outcome but I also had amazing surgeons at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.'

Ordeal: Colleen shared her post with fans and included pictures of herself from the hospital 

She added: 'After my surgery I found it had not spread to the nodes, thank God, and they were able to downgrade to stage 1. I'm still waiting on the Oncotype number to see if I need chemo. If less than 25 I won't.'

Colleen revealed in her emotional post that she 'broke down and cried' after finding a lump while in the shower, telling her followers 'I had not been doing monthly self-breast exams like I should have.'

She went on to say that ultimately the reason why she decided to share the news was to encourage others to get themselves checked.

'Set a monthly alarm if needed. Even men, who can also get breast cancer. Early detection will make the world of difference and give you a better fighting chance,' she advised. 

Colleen has one more surgery to go through in the next two months and said that currently she is feeling 'good.' 

While she thanked her family for support, Colleen did not mention Jon, 44, in her post - although they still follow each other on Instagram and are believed to be still together.

One fan commented under her post: 'I hope Jon was there for you as well!' 

Jon and Colleen have known each other since their childhood days, and the pair have found happiness together after his tumultuous relationship with ex Kate Gosselin. 

Last year, Jon was forced to deny reports that he harmed his teenage son, and has also denied that there is any ongoing investigation into such an incident. 

According to a magazine report, Collin Gosselin, 17, had supposedly claimed in a now-deleted Instagram post, that his father Jon kicked and punched him during an altercation that is said to have taken place earlier this month.

However, a rep for Jon Gosselin told DailyMail.com at the time last year: 'Jon has never abused Collin. No charges have been filed against him and there's no ongoing CYS investigation. 

'Collin has endured severe trauma. Jon is a loving father who has worked hard to ensure that his son gets the support and help he needs,' the statement added.