AceShowbiz -

The break-up curse of "The Bachelor" has stuck its host. Chris Harrison, who has been hosting the reality TV dating show since 2002 and and its spin-offs "The Bachelorette" since 2003, has just announced that he and his wife, Gwen, are separating after 18 years of marriage.

The estranged couple confirmed the news through a joint statement released Thursday, April 3. "Though we have made this incredibly difficult decision to separate, our love and mutual respect remain, and we look forward to sharing in the lives of our wonderful children," so they said.

Chris and Gwen met as students at Oklahoma City University. They have two children together, 9-year-old son Joshua and 7-year-old daughter Taylor. According to In Touch Weekly, they have been separated for a while now, but "they are still really close and remain the best of friends."

An inside source added, "They've been taking turns with their kids so they can both see them as much as possible." The insider also ruled out third party involvement. "It has been really amicable, with no other parties involved," the source stated, "and Chris has been a total professional while filming 'The Bachelorette'."

Back in February 2010, Harrison was accused by "Bachelor" contestant Rozlyn Papa of making a pass at a producer's wife while taping the show in New Zealand. The 40-year-old TV host has since brushed off the allegation by calling it "a cheap shot." He insisted to PEOPLE, "I had nothing to hide. My wife was there."