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'Concerned that her year-end cover story with The Advocate, illustrated with photographs by Hedison, will be hitting newsstands after news of their break-up, DeGeneres said she regrets that readers will be confused by the timing of this intimate portrait of a relationship that has suddenly ended,' Advocate.com reported.

'Hedison is also quoted in the statement, which was provided to The Advocate by DeGeneres's representatives. The comments are in response to the magazine's having asked whether the women's relationship may have been in trouble during the production of the cover story. Both DeGeneres and Hedison said that the timing of the magazine's publication was unfortunate but that the split was unforeseen,' Advocate.com said.

'The one thing I regret about this cover story is that it will be confusing for people to read and not understand what is going on,' DeGeneres said. 'My life was documented by Alex for The Advocate. That was the first time we had done anything like this. Who knew that the publication and timing of it would prove to be bittersweet?'

Hedison added, 'I would never have done this story if I had thought we would not be together today.'

'When I said 'I love Alex, and I'm happier than I've ever been [ in the Nov. 14 interview ] ,' all those things were true, and I still love her and care tremendously for her,' DeGeneres said. 'We are working together on the ending of our relationship on that level and intend to keep it private. And it's important to add that we have every intention of being in each other's lives.'

Allegedly, Ellen is dating former Ally McBeal co-star Portia De Rossi, who has also dropped HER long-time galpal, Ringo Starr's step-daughter Francesa Gregorini, says Pagesix.com .