INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightDavid Dobrik / YouTubeYouTube couple David Dobrik and Liza Koshy have announced their separation in an emotional video
online.The pair had dated since 2015 and built a combined audience of more than 20 million Youtube followers.The say in their video they
split six months ago but waited until this week to tell their fans."It wasn't healthy for us to continue to be together - for now," says
David in the six minute video."You never know what could happen, but just not now."They both admitted the pressure of their YouTube careers
had been a factor in their split.(Warning: contains language some viewers may find offensive)Image Copyright David DobrikDavid Dobrik"Liza
broke up with me because she felt like we've been distant because we've been so busy," David added."As much as I hate to admit it, I was
feeling it on my side too but I just don't have the balls to pull the trigger on that.""We felt like we were living separate lives but
neither of us was coming to terms with it," said Liza
"So I decided we should break up
We didn't want to tell anybody because we were just so angry at the fact we distanced in the first place.""We did nothing to each other to
cause a break up."We have a lot of growth and development and learning and loving to do."The American couple both insist they are best
friends and that their break-up is amicable.David and Liza have been described as the Posh and Becks of YouTube
But Tassilo Labuzinski, the founder of branding company Socially Powerful, says their separation should have little impact on their
individual status or future earnings."I don't see the break-up being a negative thing for either of them," Tassilo tells Newsbeat
"I think it's oversimplified to say they are the Posh and Becks of the internet and they only come as a package."He also believes fans of
the pair's "tongue in cheek, quick and witty" content would be understanding if they got back together."The couple are free to take it any
"They could make another video and say; 'Look, we've actually decided we love each other too much and we want to be together,' and that's
going to get more attention
"I don't think there's going to be a negative backlash on them in any form."In early 2018, Newsbeat made a documentary about the pressures
on YouTube couples to stay together
Image Copyright TheIndianSubcontinent NewsbeatTheIndianSubcontinent NewsbeatMany fans of David and Liza have reacted with shock and upset to
the news.Others have praised the message shared by the couple in their break-up video.And some are holding out hope that their split will be
temporary.Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on TheIndianSubcontinent Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back
