Cher emotional over split from longtime designer Bob Mackie: 'I'm crying'

Bob Mackie designed Cher's most elaborate and flamboyant outfits since 1967, when they met on the set of The Carol Burnett Show. He even created the bare-midriff ensemble that made Cher the first woman to show her belly on television.

But the 73-year-old designer, who has also created custom looks for Liza Minelli and Tina Tuner, said he doesn't have time for his muse's last tour.

“Nobody wanted to design this last tour more than I did! I am sick about it," Mackie said in a statement. "My professional and business commitments were just too great. After all these years of collaborating, it is like turning down your own little sister, and how many guys have a little sister like Cher?”

Cher was heartbroken.

"Telling you Something That Has BROKEN MY HEART," Cher tweeted Thursday. "THE MAN WHO MADE ALL MY COSTUMES SINCE 1972 DECIDED HE COULDNT DO MY LAST TOUR. NO MATTER HOW DISAPPOINTED ANY OF U ARE, YOU DONT KNOW MY GRIEF. IM SURE BOB CANT KNOW HOW MUCH I MISS HIM."

"FELT I HAD TO TELL U IM CRYING," she added. "TRIED TO CONVINCE HIM TO END WITH ME,BUT HE HAD MANY REASONS As 2 Why He couldn't do it. 2 many obligations Not Enough Time EVEN 2 DO 1."

But that doesn't mean Cher will have to go without extravagantly bedazzled gowns.

"THANK GOD I HAVE A LOVELY MAN & WONDERFUL DESIGNER !! HUGH DURANT," she concluded. "HE IS TALENTED & BRAVE WE WILL PERSEVERE."

[E! News, Style.com]