The stepdaughter of Tommy Fleming has spoken publicly about the breakdown of his marriage to Tina Mitchell, saying it has been ‘heartbreaking’ to watch her mother suffer in recent months.

Rebecca Ruane, Tina’s daughter from a previous relationship, shared an emotional statement after Tina recently said she regretted marrying the singer following the end of their 20-year marriage.

Tommy and Tina confirmed earlier this month that they had separated last October. The split came after a leaked audio recording involving the family circulated online.

In a subsequent interview on Newstalk, Fleming publicly revealed he is gay and spoke about living what he described as ‘a lie’ for many years.

Reacting to recent events, Rebecca said the last number of months had been deeply painful for the family.

‘For 24 years, our family lived a life that we believed was real,’ she wrote, as per EVOKE.

‘We trusted, loved, and stood by a man who was supposed to protect and care for our family.’

Rebecca said the family felt ‘completely blindsided’ by the revelations surrounding the singer’s private life and described the breakdown of trust as devastating.

‘The past eight months have been the most painful and traumatic time of our lives,’ she said.

She also rejected suggestions that either she or her mother were responsible for allegations and speculation circulating online in recent weeks.

‘We have simply been trying to survive the emotional devastation caused by someone we trusted completely,’ she wrote.

Rebecca said it had been especially difficult watching her mother struggle in the aftermath of the separation.

‘My mother’s life has been completely shattered,’ she said.

‘Watching someone you love suffer so deeply is indescribable.’

Despite the heartbreak, Rebecca thanked family, friends and supporters who had reached out to them privately over recent weeks.

‘Your kindness, support, and compassion during the darkest period of our lives has meant more to us than words can ever express,’ she added.

In his interview earlier this month, Fleming acknowledged the pain caused to his family and said he was ‘remorseful’ for the hurt experienced by those closest to him.