Bachelor host Chris Harrison and his wife of 18 years, Gwen, announced their separation, "after much heartfelt consideration", the pair tells PEOPLE exclusively.

"While we have made it incredibly difficult decision to separate our love and mutual respect remains, and we are ready to share in the life of our wonderful children," said a joint statement on Thursday.

The couple live 35 miles from Hollywood with their children, Joshua, 9, and Taylor, 7. Harrison, 40, the coaches of both teams a children's football and is "a wonderful father," Gwen told PEOPLE in 2010. "He's very loving and involved."

Harrison holds a new season of Bachelorette, which premieres May 14 on ABC.

Jessica Simpson in May became a mother - she gave birth to a baby girl.

The singer, now a designer and her football star fiance, Eric Johnson, welcomed daughter, Drew Maxwell Johnson Hospital in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning.

Simpson's mother Tina and her sister, singer Ashlee were both on hand for the arrival of a child, according to TMZ.

The girl weighed in at nine pounds and 13 ounces, reports UsMagazine.com.

Simpson confirmed her pregnancy news on Halloween, after several months of speculation about her expanding baby belly.

Newborn and Simpson and Johnson's first child.