Sophie Dahl breaks up with lover of four years

The 6ft beauty has dated Dan Baker, son of a New York plastic surgeon, for more than four years, sharing his £1million loft apartment in Manhattan's fashionable Noho district.

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Permanent Split: Sophie Dahl with Dan Baker

At 29, he is a few months her senior, and brought her the domestic bliss she craved after her controversial relationship with Mick Jagger.

Ironically, the 63-year-old Rolling Stone – whose relationship with Dahl was revealed by The Mail on Sunday in 2001 – is said to have played a role in the break-up of her latest romance.

Friends say Sophie stayed in touch with Jagger, irritating Dan, even though her friendship with the singer is strictly platonic.

Meanwhile, Dan's lack of a high-powered career had begun to grate on Sophie, according to friends, who say he is studying for a business degree.

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Sophie's ex Mick Jagger with his current squeeze L'Wren Scott

A friend of Sophie said: "She is in a very sad place. She and Dan have split and it is permanent. She loves Dan very much, but there is a fundamental difference between them.

"Sophie is a powerhouse who has made her own career and fortune and has worked every day of her life since she was a young girl.

"Dan has a lot of money, but he has never worked hard for it. It has always been his father's riches. This was a real bone of contention.

"That was the main cause for the split but there were other reasons and Mick Jagger didn't help. Mick's always calling Sophie and they just chat, but his phone calls left Dan feeling deeply insecure."

Sophie, the granddaughter of author Roald Dahl, met Dan in early 2003. Within months she reportedly was considering marriage.

A furious Jagger was said to have warned her against making a serious commitment to someone with whom she did not seem to have much in common.

Sophie insisted that what appealed was settling down and preparing for motherhood and a career as a writer.

As recently as this February, friends were expecting her to announce her engagement to Dan. But one said: "She has tried to make it work, but it really is over for good."

When told that Sophie's friends say their relationship is over, Dan replied: "That's something you should really call her about." Asked if Jagger had any part in the split, he said: "I have no idea what is going on." Sophie's mother and confidante, Tessa Dahl, said: "I'm very sorry but I will not talk about my children."

A close friend of Jagger said: "There is absolutely no question of Mick Jagger and Sophie being an item."