They fell in love on The Bachelorette last year, with the pair declaring their love for one another during the emotional finale in October.

And now Sophie Monk, 38, and millionaire publican Stu Laundy, 44, have split, according to a source close to the couple.

Despite the couple having constantly denied spilt rumours since the show ended, a source claimed to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday that the pair remain 'really good friends,' but their short-lived romance just wasn't going to 'go any further.'

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EXCLUSIVE: 'Sadly it's naturally run its course': Friend confirms The Bachelorette's Sophie Monk and Stu Laundy have SPLIT after just six months - but claims they're still 'really good mates'

'They gave it a good six months but sadly, it's naturally run it's course,' the source claimed.

'They're really good friends. But it's not going to go any further.'

The source claimed that 'travel and distance' were factors in the alleged split.

Over: The source said that 'travel and distance' were factors in the alleged split

'Travel and distance became factors, but there is no bad blood between them.'

The source added that Stu still thinks the world of Sophie, saying: 'She's a cracker with a great sense of humour.'

Stu won The Bachelorette in October, where he and Sophie fell in love.

Sweet: The source added that Stu still thinks the world of Sophie

During the dramatic finale, Sophie boldly declared that the father-of-four was 'the one,' after she sent runner-up Jarrod Woodgate packing.

'You said loving me was the best thing you've done in a while. I don't think anyone's ever said that to me. So I have two really important things to tell you,' Sophie told Stu in Fiji, where the finale was set.

'The first thing is I'm so sorry I misjudged you when I first met you. And the second thing is I'm in love with you.'

In happier times: During the finale, Sophie boldly declared that the father of four was 'the one,' after she sent runner-up Jarrod Woodgate packing

Runner-up: Seen is Sophie with Jarrod Woodgate, who she sent home on the Bachelorette finale, before choosing Stu

Heartbroken: Jarrod was left in tears and heartbroken when Sophie chose Stu

Stu delightedly asked: 'You're in love with me?'

A beaming Sophie confirmed: 'So in love with you.'

Stu meanwhile replied: 'I love you so much, The moment I hopped off that chopper, I knew I'd done the right thing. I'm gonna cry. It's so bad.'

He added: 'I love everything about you. I know it's it took me forever to say, but I didn't want to get it wrong.

He had his sights on her for a while: Before signing up to the show, Stu attempted to set up a date with Sophie on his super yacht a year prior, but it fell through

He continued: 'You have rescued me. You give me a second chance. This was such a risk, doing this.'

Before signing up to the show, Stu attempted to set up a date with Sophie on his super yacht a year prior, but it fell through.

Stu, who is an heir to a $500 million pub fortune, shares four daughters with his estranged wife Rachel - who he separated from four years ago.

Risky: Stu previously told The Daily Telegraph that he did not make the decision to appear on the show lightly

Stu previously told The Daily Telegraph that he did not make the decision to appear on the show lightly.

'It's a risk for someone like me to go on the show, I ummed and aahed a lot but what got me over the line was that I just thought I saw something in Soph,' he said.

'When I first met her it was excellent and I really wanted to meet her again, and I had to go through the rigmarole to do it.'

For months, Sophie and Stu have been subject to ongoing split rumours but have denied the reports.

Split rumours: For months, Sophie and Stu have been rumoured to have split, but have denied the constant talk

Trouble in paradise? The pair are seen in Melbourne in October, having what appears to be a very tense conversation

Last month, Sophie denied the split rumours when appearing on Today, saying she left Stu 'in bed,' before making her appearance on the show.

'I haven't checked the news to see where we are at but [things are] good,' Sophie joked.

'He was in bed when I left him!'

The former Bardot singer also brushed off criticism about their lack of PDA, telling The Kyle and Jackie O Show she isn't a fan of public displays of affection.

'I can't win!' The former Bardot singer also brushed off criticism about a lack of PDAs between herself and Stu, telling The Kyle and Jackie O Show she wasn't a fan of public displays of affection

But the blonde bombshell said she understood why some people might not think their relationship was genuine.

'It's our body language. I'm not a feely person and we saw paparazzi at the airport and we went overboard so it's not real - I can't win!' Sophie said.

'Behind closed doors I'm overboard, in public its like a habit thing ... I don;t like watching people make out and hold hands in public anyways.'

Over the festive period, Sophie and Stu enjoyed a trip to Canada for a white Christmas, staying a luxury ski resort.

Getting away from it all? Over the festive period, Sophie and Stu enjoyed a trip to Canada for a white Christmas, staying a luxury ski resort

Claims: Woman's Day alleged that the couple had an 'alcohol-fuelled argument' with the pub baron 'checking into another hotel,' leaving the SilverStar Mountain Resort

A timeline of their romance 2016 - Stu attempted to set up a date with Sophie on his super yacht but it fell through 2017- Stu gets a shot of love with Sophie on The Bachelorette in September. He was declared the winner in an emotional finale that aired in October December 2017 - Sophie denies persistent split rumours on Today and the Kyle and Jackie O show. Over the festive period, Sophie and Stu enjoyed a trip to Canada for a white Christmas Woman's Day alleged that the couple had an 'alcohol-fuelled argument' with the pub baron 'checking into another hotel,' leaving the SilverStar Mountain Resort January 2018 - A friend close to the couple claims to Daily Mail Australia that the pair have split


Woman's Day alleged that the couple had an 'alcohol-fuelled argument' with the pub baron 'checking into another hotel,' leaving the SilverStar Mountain Resort.

Accompanying pictures saw a stony-faced Stu apparently dragging his luggage to another hotel as Sophie looked on with a downcast expression.

The 'insider' reportedly told the publication: 'Stu looked really sad. He took his luggage to the other hotel at about 12.30pm on Christmas Day.'

Woman's Day also alleged that Sophie appeared distressed and looked 'like she'd been crying.'

Sophie and Stu had been joined on vacation by Sophie's friend Oscar, who used to work for Kyle and Jackie O.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Sophie and Stu for comment.