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TV cooking hosts Pat & Gina Neely file for divorce

Michael King, WXIA-TV12:32 a.m. EDT September 27, 2014

(Photo: Donna Ward/Getty Images)

MEMPHIS (WXIA) – Popular Food Network hosts Gina and Pat Neely have filed for divorce after nearly 20 years of marriage. The complaint, filed by Gina Neely, cites "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the divorce.

According to Memphis NBC station WMC-TV, the couple closed their Memphis barbecue restaurant chain to concentrate on projects on the national level including Gina Neely's George Foreman Weight Loss Challenge, her new line of Green Giant foods, and Pat Neely's partnership with Family Dollar stores to show people how to shop for food on a budget.

The couple is best known for their Food Network show, "Down Home With The Neelys"and their cookbook "Back Home With The Neelys: Comfort Food from our Southern Kitchen to Yours." The couple still own a barbecue restaurant in New York City.

The couple released a joint statement on Friday:

"Today we announce that we are ending our marriage of 20 years for irreconcilable differences. This was a tough decision, but we believe it is the best decision for us. As parents of two beautiful adult daughters that we love dearly, we will continue to be involved in each other's lives as parents and friends. Together we have built a strong brand as The Neely's . Moving forward our focus will be on our individual brands and we are optimistic about our respective futures. We ask for your prayers as we go through this transition and honor our request for privacy at this time."

WMC-TV quoted sources close to the couple, saying the two of them still love each other, but have drifted apart.

The court filing says the couple owns four properties together, including some of the closed restaurants. It goes on to say that if the two of them cannot come to an agreement on how to dissolve their holdings, the courts would resolve it. WMC says the court is awaiting Pat Neely's response to the filing.