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Fortnite has been blamed after online games were cited as the reason in 200 divorces this year.

The shoot-'em-up game is played by millions around the world - but could prove as damaging to relationships as drug addictions.

That's according to bosses at Divorce-online.co.uk, who say they have noticed a dramatic spike in the number of cases where online gaming causes couples to split up.

A spokesman for the company said: "Addiction to drugs, alcohol and gambling are have often been cited as reasons for relationship breakdown but the dawn of the digital revolution has introduced new addictions.

"These now include online pornography, online gaming, and social media, so it is no surprise to us that more and more people are having relationship problems because of our digital addictions.

"This equates to roughly 5% of the 4,665 petitions we have handled since the beginning of the year and as one of the largest filers of divorce petitions in the UK, is a pretty good indicator."

Has your relationship hit the rocks because of Fortnite? Email webnews@trinitymirror.com

(Image: Copyright Unknown)

The game is a "survival shooter", which has been downloaded more than 100 million times and been endorsed by stars such as footballer Dele Alli and rapper Drake.

It sees up to 100 players play against each other in a variety of game modes and is free to play.

It is hugely popular with children and teenagers because it can be played on mobile phones but it appears the highly addictive game is not only affecting youngsters.

Fortnite's most popular format is the BattleRoyale which sees 100 players fight each other on an island until one is left standing.

(Image: Nottingham Post WS)

The game is available on mobiles and consoles including Xbox One and PlayStation 4, as well as PC and Mac.

Earlier this week Mirror Online reported how a disabled mother said she was left cash-strapped by her 10-year-old son spent who thousands on Fortnite.

Single mum-of-two Cleo Duckett, 46, said she discovered her bank account had just £8 left in it on Friday night.

Cleo, from Cefn Glas in Bridgend and on benefits as she suffers from polio and is on a wheelchair, said she has had to dig funds out of her son's savings pot in order to make until her next benefit payment on September 6.

(Image: Adrian White)

The programme contains in-game purchases where players can buy outfits and other items.

Cleo, who receives around £700 a month in benefits, said: "I only found out about it all when I went to use the cash machine and there was only £8 left in my account."

She continued: "He spent £1,193.25, leaving me around £245 into my overdraft.

"There was £50 here and £50 there; £60 here and £66 there, and that's without the VAT.

"I think he must have been paying for different parts of the game."