Hayden and Milo split, age the culprit

Los Angeles, February 18: Reports are running rampant on the Internet that Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia have split up, turning the weeks-long speculation of their possible break up into reality.

After nearly two years of dating, the "Heroes" co-stars Hayden and Milo have called it quits, a source close to the couple revealed.

Hayden, 19, and Milo, 31, reportedly began secretly dating at the end of 2007, but their relationship wasn't publicized until April 2008. Milo had confirmed their romantic relationship last year in April during an appearance on BBC Radio 1's The Chris Moyles Show.

A source leaked the news to UsMagazine.com that the reason behind the celebrity couple’s break up was a lifestyle conflict.

"It was a lifestyle conflict. They were in very different places. They are still on friendly terms. There are no hard feelings," UsMagazine.com quoted the source as saying.

Besides the “Heroes” stars’ clashing styles of living, the actors’ 12-years age difference is said to be at the root of their problems.

"Hayden is young. She likes to go out in the Hollywood scene and that's not Milo's style. He has been concentrating on work on his production company Divide Pictures," the source added.

According to a report from US magazine Star, Hayden, who plays Claire Bennet on the hit U.S. series, and Milo, who stars as Peter Petrelli, decided to part ways because she had reportedly been unhappy for months.

"Hayden had tried to break up with Milo many times since Christmas, but he wouldn't accept it," a source told the magazine.

"Finally, she put her foot down last week when he confronted her about hooking up with another guy at a club. She told Milo they weren't a couple any longer and she could see whomever she wanted.

“When Hayden didn't call Milo on Valentine's Day he got the message finally. He is so in love with her it's hard for him to accept," the source said.

The couple’s break up news comes on the heels of a report by RadarOnline.com that Hayden and a pop singer were spotted at Crown Bar in Los Angeles last week.

The online magazine reported that the actress is hooking up with the 21-year-old pop star Jesse.

“[Hayden] was sitting on Jesse’s lap while he kissed her neck. Then she got up and did some crazy sexy dance in his lap,” Radar reported. “They went outside to smoke and he wrapped his arms around her from behind and was kissing her neck again.”