Kenny Goss walked out on the 'Faith' singer last Christmas after 13 years together.

The pair have been living apart ever since, but friends and family have kept the break-up a secret because they fear George is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Kenny is thought to have ended the relationship after George, 46, was arrested in the public toilets on London's Hampstead Heath and charged with possessing drugs last year.

One pal told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Kenny had given George many chances. But after the Hampstead Heath incident he said he couldn't take any more. Everyone knew George wasn't just in there to do drugs - the place is well known as a place to pick up men.

"Despite George saying they had an open relationship, Kenny never agreed with George's urges to go out cruising for other men, or with his excessive use of cannabis. He is embarrassed by what George had put him through.

"They had been due to marry on their 10th anniversary back in 2006, but Kenny told him it was off unless he changed his ways. But it seems George just couldn't."

The split has reportedly turned George into a "hermit" who is addicted to computer games. He has postponed all his work commitments and stays in his north London mansion for days at a time.

A friend said: "When Kenny left him, George wasn't in the right frame of mind for anything. He seemed to become really depressed and no one could talk him out of it.

"George would get up at 2pm, have a couple of cannabis joints, and play computer games until 7am, then do it all again the next day.

"George also has all these ideas about going back on the road - but no one knows if his state of mind will take it. The split has hit him hard."