How Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk’s love crumbled amid affair rumours

The superstar couple’s relationship broke down amid mounting speculation over Cooper and Lady Gaga, a friend has claimed.

Ever since they sizzled on screen in A Star Is Born, rumours have flown about Bradley Cooper’s closeness to his co-star Lady Gaga.

After months of speculation, Bradley’s girlfriend Irina Shayk had finally had enough — and last week it emerged the pair had split.

Today The Sun can reveal how their relationship crumbled amid mounting speculation over Cooper and the pop singer.

While they battled for six months to save the relationship, Cooper’s work commitments clashed with the Russian model’s desire for a settled family life with their two-year-old daughter Lea.

Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk arrive at the 91st Annual Academy Awards. Picture: Robyn Beck / AFP

In a rare interview before their split, Shayk, 33, tellingly said: “I make time for the people I love and care about — family, friends, whoever it might be.

“I agree work is important but I also believe you must have ­balance and enjoy life. In the end, that’s what it’s all about.”

Today, a confidante of the ­couple gives The Sun on Sunday the inside story of how their four-year romance ended in tears.

Shayk met the 44-year-old actor and director in 2015, months after breaking up with footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

They had been together for five years, ­during which time the Juventus star was rumoured to have had a string of affairs.

Her confidante told us: “From the outset, Irina loved the privacy she had with Brad.

“For months Brad and Irina managed to keep their dating a secret. It was fantastic for her after living a very public life with Cristiano.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk in 2014.

“She and Brad found lots of time for each other, even though both were working a lot as she travelled the world modelling and he spent long periods on film sets.”

They made a series of public appearances together, at events including Wimbledon and the US fashion trade’s Met Ball.

In November 2015, Cooper moved into Shayk’s New York apartment, and in 2017 she gave birth to their daughter.

And while fans clamoured to know more, Shayk insisted she wanted to keep her personal life private.

She said: “I have a lot of friends who share a lot of their personal life on Instagram or social media, very publicly. I admire it, it’s great, but it’s all about personal choice.

“Because my work requires me to be out there, I just decided my ­personal life will be quiet.

“That’s why it’s called ‘personal’ — because it’s something for you and your family. I feel happy with it.”

Around this time, Cooper was filming A Star Is Born, his debut as a movie director, in which he and singer Lady Gaga play lovers. The project kept him away from home.

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in A Star is Born. Picture: Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP

A source said: “Irina’s life was focused on family and Bradley has always worked hard. It was a hard two years for both of them.

“There was lots of effort put into trying to make it work and lots of discussions and chats but Bradley’s work meant they would not be together all the time. He wasn’t at home as much as he’d have liked.”

Cooper — worth an estimated $143 million — spent much of last year promoting the film, which was a critical and commercial triumph, earning nominations for eight ­Academy Awards.

A charged stage performance by its two leads at the Oscars in February sparked speculation they were more than just friends and colleagues.

Though Shayk did not believe Cooper had cheated, the pressure of speculation rocked their relationship.

Shayk put on a brave face but was “hugely embarrassed” by the insinuations.

Her friend said: “Irina is not the jealous type and Lady Gaga was someone she thought she got on with. She still doesn’t think anything went on.

“The main thing was she enjoyed having an anonymous relationship which was very ­private. But after the film it became less so.”

Lady Gaga, Irina Shayk and Bradley Cooper during the 91st Annual Academy Awards.

Cooper — who has ­previously been linked to actresses Suki Waterhouse, 27, Cameron Diaz, 46, and Jennifer Aniston, 50 — took months off work in a bid to heal their relationship.

But last Thursday, it was all over after Shayk was seen leaving ­Cooper’s mansion carrying suitcases. That news came just days after Lady Gaga broke off her engagement to talent agent Christian Carino, 50.

To add even more intrigue, Carino “liked” a bikini snap of Shayk on Instagram this week. Our source said: “Irina tried hard to make it work — they both did. But it ended for the better.

“She might well go back to living in Bradley’s LA home eventually to look after their daughter. They are remaining civil for her.”

Whatever happens, Shayk will ­continue to work, having amassed millions as one of the world’s most in-demand models.

Irina Shayk walks during the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

Talking about life as a mum, she said: “In this modern world, I really believe that if you have a baby, it doesn’t mean you have to wear longer dresses. One of my friends said, ‘Oh, you just posted a sexy picture. You’re a mum now’.

“I just said, ‘So what?’ It’s about who you are. You have to stick to your thing. I don’t believe anyone should have to change just because they’re a mother. I’m still me.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission