Famed for their steamy dance routines, it's no surprise Girls Aloud are close to their male dancers.

But it appears too close for comfort  for DJ Tom Crane, who has ended his relationship with Sarah Harding, according to reports.

Sarah Harding and now ex-boyfriend DJ Tom Crane who is believed to have dumped her over her friendship with her backing dancer

Crane, whose relationship with Harding was notoriously feisty, is said to have struggled with rumours about Sarah's links with other men.

Her close friendship with one dancer in particular, Jackson Williams, appears to have been the final straw.

But despite her assurances that it is innocent, the blonde bombshell has been left single.

The group were joined by their dancers recently on a beach holiday to celebrate the end of their sell-out Tangled Up tour.

Harding was seen enjoying jet ski rides with the dancer, which no doubt fuelled the split.

Enlarge 

Sarah Harding and Jackson Williams (centre) cavort on-stage during the Girls Aloud Tangled Up tour

A friend of the DJ said: 'the girls are incredibly close to their backing dancers - they've become like family, but Jackson happens to be straight so the pair got linked as they are really good friends.'

Harding, who is currently recording the new Girls Aloud album is said to be devastated, but comforted by her bandmates, including Nicola Roberts who recently split from long-term love Carl Davis.