Chris Harrison, host of ABC's The Bachelor and its various spin-offs, is separating from his wife Gwen after 18 years of marriage, People magazine reported last night.

"Though we have made this incredibly difficult decision to separate, our love and mutual respect remain," the couple said in a joint statement, "and we look forward to sharing in the lives of our wonderful children."

Chris and Gwen met while attending Oklahoma City University and were married in 1993. They share two kids — 9-year-old Joshua and 7-year-old Taylor.

In 2010, Harrison was accused by Bachelor contestant Rozlyn Papa of hitting on the wife of a show producer. He denied the allegations, calling them "a cheap shot."

[photo via Getty]