Kermit the Frog's new love interest is a pig working for the Muppet Show's marketing team

Star moves on following high-profile split with former lover and co-star Miss Piggy

The split with Miss Piggy brings an end to a near 40-year romance that has underpinned much of their work together (Getty)

Muppet star Kermit the Frog has wasted little time following his high-profile split with former lover Miss Piggy and is now dating a member of the ABC network's marketing team.

Kermit's new girlfriend is a pig named Denise, something the Muppet star has confirmed himself in comments on Twitter.

The split with Miss Piggy, which brings an end to a near 40-year romance that has underpinned much of their work together, was announced in a media conference earlier in the week.

In a statement former couple said they would continue working together on television and other projects but will no longer be involved romantically.

Speaking to E! News, Kermit gave further details of his break-up with the sometimes overbearing Miss Piggy: "It's an interesting thing that happens sometimes – you're with someone for years, and you suddenly discover that you have gone in two different directions.

"And when you're a frog and a pig, those directions can be extreme."

The break-up has shaken romantics across the internet, although sceptical observers note the timing of the split comes ahead of the new Muppet's television show, which reportedly brings a more reality television-style take to Muppet shows of the past.

Miss Piggy, however, denied the split was a gimmick and tweeted at actor Alan Cumming that he should let his "cute, single friends" know she was once again available.

There has been little information on Denise, although her relationship with Kermit was alluded to at the media conference.