Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson split after nine months of dating

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson have officially split after nine months of dating.

The Kardashians star, 41, and comedian, 28, were first linked last October, following that now infamous Saturday Night Live sketch.

They made their romance Instagram official earlier this year, before hitting the red carpet together at the Met Gala.

However, they have now gone their separate ways, following Pete’s relocation to Australia for a new acting role.

According to E! News, they have simply decided to just stay friends.

Insiders told the publication that, while they have love and respect for one another, the distance became too much for the budding couple.

Their demanding schedules are also thought to have played a part, with the duo splitting this week.

Kim and Pete have yet to speak publicly on the news.

The pair, dubbed Kete, raised eyebrows about their romance at the end of last year, when they shared a kiss on SNL during a Disney-themed sketch – following the end of the beauty mogul’s marriage to Kanye West.

They were later spotted on low-key date nights, and whipped fans into a frenzy when they were pictured holding hands on a rollercoaster during a night out with Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker.

Pete finally confirmed their romance in February by describing the mom-of-four as his ‘girlfriend’ – before unveiling a string of tattoos dedicated to the reality star.

As well as various inkings, he also branded his skin with Kim’s name to show his affection for her.

Because, why not?

‘He has a few tattoos, a few cute ones that he got, but the Kim one isn’t a tattoo, it’s actually a branding,’ she said on the Ellen DeGeneres Show recently.

‘He wanted to do something that was really different because okay, first tattoo he got, I was like, “Thank you, oh my god,” second, I was like, “So cute,” but that’s what tattooed people do, right? They get tattoos of what’s going on in their life.

‘The branding is my name. The other ones are cutesy things. I think my favorite one, it says: “My girl is a lawyer.” And that one’s really cute.’

Pete controversially appeared to ink the initials of the Skims businesswoman and four children that she shares with Kanye – KNSCP – on his chest, a move many were divided over.

Kim spilled the beans on their fling while filming for the Kardashians, confessing that she was the one to approach the Set It Up actor after their embrace.

In a recent episode of The Kardashians, she admitted that she felt a ‘vibe’ from their kiss, and wanted to explore a connection – but Pete skipped her after-party.

‘Everyone was at my after-party. Does not give me the time of day,’ she said on the show.

‘So a few days later, I called the producer at SNL and was like, “Hey do you have Pete’s number?’” And they were like “yeah.”‘

‘I text him. I wasn’t even thinking like, “Oh my God, I’m gonna be in a relationship with him,”‘ Kim continued.

‘I was just thinking, “heard about this BDE [big d**k energy], need to get out there. I was just basically DTF [down to f**k].”’

She also hailed her beau as ‘the best human being I’ve ever met, like the best heart’.

However, they hit a rough patch early on when Kanye voiced his disapproval over their relationship, sharing now-deleted rants on Instagram slamming the couple.

Kim filed for divorce from the rapper, who she shares North, Saint, Chicago and Penelope with, last February, bringing their six-year marriage to an end.

Following her romance with Pete becoming public knowledge, the Grammy-winner shared now-deleted rants, calling the actor out and begging for his ex-wife back.

Things took a darker turn when Ye mentioned beating her then-beau in a song and attacking a cartoon likeness of him in the accompanying music video.

He has since removed all the posts from his social media pages, with his rep stating that he is ‘committed to a healthy co-parenting relationship with Kim and is focused on raising their beautiful children’.

Things appear to be friendly between the ex-power couple as Kim modeled a new Yeezy accessory in a new photoshoot with North and Chicago, shared earlier today.

‘Kim and Kanye have been coparenting very well as of late,’ a source added to Us Weekly.

‘They are very civil with each other right now, there are no issues. They are both treating each other with mutual respect.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson for a comment.

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Dame Deborah James’ husband speaks out for first time since her death and recalls moment she ‘slipped away’

MORE : Love Island’s Luca Bish publicly invites Gemma Owen to his hometown after reunion ‘row’