'This has been really tough': Former Bachelor couple Chris Soules and Whitney Bischoff break their silence after calling off engagement

By Karen Mizoguchi for MailOnline

Published: 12:42 EST, 30 May 2015 | Updated: 15:33 EST, 30 May 2015

They announced on Thursday that they had ended their six-month engagement, two months after the romantic proposal aired on ABC's The Bachelor.

And on Friday, both Chris Soules and Whitney Bischoff broke their silence regarding their breakup on Twitter and Instagram after releasing a joint statement.

'This has been really tough,' the 33-year-old Iowa farmer tweeted, while his former 29-year-old fiancee thanked her fans and followers for the outpouring support.

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Split: Former engaged Bachelor couple Chris Soules and Whitney Bischoff broke their silence regarding their breakup on Twitter and Instagram on Friday (pictured in March 10, one day after the finale aired)

Split: Former engaged Bachelor couple Chris Soules and Whitney Bischoff broke their silence regarding their breakup on Twitter and Instagram on Friday (pictured in March 10, one day after the finale aired)

Between travelling from Iowa to her native Chicago, the fairytale romance appears to have dissolved.

'I can't thank you all enough for the kind messages over the past few days,' Chris wrote on his Twitter page.

'This has been really tough and your support means a lot to me,' he continued.

Fertility nurse Whitney did not express her current emotions, but instead shared a video of an adorable family friend, whom she presumably will visit soon. 

'Now this little gal knows how to make me smile! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your outpouring love, kindness and support! It means so much to me,' she captioned the clip.  

'This has been really tough': The 33-year-old Iowa farmer tweeted his heartbreak

'This has been really tough': The 33-year-old Iowa farmer tweeted his heartbreak

Former fiancee Whitney: 'From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your outpouring love, kindness and support! It means so much to me'

Former fiancee Whitney: 'From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your outpouring love, kindness and support! It means so much to me'

The former couple was officially engaged in November 2014 during the season 19 taping of the dating competition - which aired on March 9 - after Chris sent home runner-up Becca Tilley.

Soon after going public with their relationship, they temporarily lived together in Los Angeles, where Chris was competing - and came in fifth place - on season 20 of Dancing With The Stars.

On Wednesday, the reality couple confirmed their split with media outlets.

'Whitney Bischoff and Chris Soules have mutually and amicably decided to end their engagement,' their reps stated.

'They part with nothing but respect and admiration for one another and will continue to be supportive friends. They wish to thank everyone who has supported them through this journey.' 

Now-exes: The former couple was officially engaged in November during the season 19 taping of the dating competition - which aired on March 9 - sending home runner-up Becca Tilley

Now-exes: The former couple was officially engaged in November during the season 19 taping of the dating competition - which aired on March 9 - sending home runner-up Becca Tilley

Another reality love demise: The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss was the first one to break the news on Thursday

Another reality love demise: The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss was the first one to break the news on Thursday

The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss was the first one to break the news, tweeting on Thursday morning: 'Sad news to report: @souleschris and @whitbisch are no longer engaged...' 

Following the news of Chris and Whitney's breakup, runner-up Becca took to Twitter to address the possibility of ever rekindling her romance with The Bachelor star.

'Yall are funny - "get back together with that guy who didn't choose you in the first place!"' she wrote on her Twitter page on Friday. 

The pair were last seen together on May 19, celebrating the end of Dancing With The Stars.

Chris posted a photo with Whitney and his parents to Instagram that day, along with the words: 'Post-show pic with the fam. I truly am the world's luckiest guy. Love you @whitb624.'

Joint statement: 'They part with nothing but respect and admiration for one another and will continue to be supportive friends. They wish to thank everyone who has supported them through this journey'

Joint statement: 'They part with nothing but respect and admiration for one another and will continue to be supportive friends. They wish to thank everyone who has supported them through this journey'

Reunion? Following the news of Chris and Whitney's breakup, runner-up Becca took to Twitter to address the possibility of ever rekindling her romance with The Bachelor star

Reunion? Following the news of Chris and Whitney's breakup, runner-up Becca took to Twitter to address the possibility of ever rekindling her romance with The Bachelor star

Not a chance: 'Yall are funny - "get back together with that guy who didn't choose you in the first place!"'

Not a chance: 'Yall are funny - "get back together with that guy who didn't choose you in the first place!"'

Three weeks ago, Whitney reflected fondly on the romantic proposal in a Throwback Thursday Instagram photo from the finale. 

'Can't believe this was almost six months ago,' she commented the snap of her now-ex-fiance offering her the Neil Lane diamond ring.

However rumours that trouble was brewing in paradise started swirling last month, when Whitney flew home to Chicago before Chris's stint on DWTS was up.

While she had hoped to move to Chris's farm in Arlington, Iowa at some point, the fertility nurse had made it very clear that she wasn't going to give up her career.

'I have no plans to quit my job. We're just taking it step by step!’ she told People in March, adding: ‘I've switched roles a little bit. It offers me a lot of flexibility so I can work from anywhere.’

On one condition: Along with accepting the proposal, Whitney had to transition her life as a farmer's wife

On one condition: Along with accepting the proposal, Whitney had to transition her life as a farmer's wife

His other Witney: Soon after going public with their relationship, Chris spent a majority of his engagement in Los Angeles, where he competed - and came in fifth place - on season 20 of Dancing With The Stars with dance pro partner Witney Carson

His other Witney: Soon after going public with their relationship, Chris spent a majority of his engagement in Los Angeles, where he competed - and came in fifth place - on season 20 of Dancing With The Stars with dance pro partner Witney Carson

The Bachelor and The Bachelorette are well-known for their whirlwind romances, quick engagements and even quicker break-ups.

In the 29 completed seasons of the two shows there have been 20 proposals, but only five couples have made it down the aisle. 

Chris was picked to be The Bachelor after he came in third place on Andi Dorfman's season of the Bachelorette.

The former assistant district attorney got engaged to winner Josh Murray during the finale, but they confirmed their split in January.

Kaitlyn Bristowe, who was third on Chris' season, is currently starring as The Bachelorette on the 11th installment of the spin-off show. 

Love dedication: Chris had fondly shared sweet posts about their engagement on his social media accounts

Love dedication: Chris had fondly shared sweet posts about their engagement on his social media accounts

Bachelor host and close friend Chris Harrison: 'They’re just two kids that were hopefully going to get married and they’re not now and that’s sad'

Bachelor host and close friend Chris Harrison: 'They’re just two kids that were hopefully going to get married and they’re not now and that’s sad'

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