Source: Rimes separated from husband

NASHVILLE, July 25 (UPI) -- U.S. country music singer LeAnn Rimes and her husband Dean Sheremet are separated and living in different homes, a Rimes friend says.

The unidentified source said Rimes, 26, and Sheremet, 36, were attempting to work on their relationship while apart, People.com reported Friday.

"Le and Dean have been separated for quite some time now, but they're continuing to try and work through their relationship," the source said.

The news of the country singer's separation comes four months after Rimes was romantically linked to actor Eddie Cibrian.

The anonymous Rimes friend said in March that Cibrian, 36, was not behind the couple's marital woes.

"There have been issues brewing for months prior to meeting Eddie on set," the source said.

People.com said a Tennessee home owned by Rimes and Sheremet, who married in 2002, is up for sale at $7.45 million.