Singer Mariah Carey has reportedly banned her estranged husband Nick Cannon from speaking out about their split.

The 44-year-old has been living apart from her husband since June and has reportedly "started the divorce process".

"Nick and Mariah have the paperwork in place for the break up. Both will not have to give away their fortunes, and will split very easily in legal terms,` mirror.co.uk quoted a source as saying.

"The one clause that is a problem is that he must not speak about Mariah or kiss and tell. If he does, Mariah can come after him legally. Mariah has always been controlled about her personal life. Nick is a much more open book and could face troubles if he lets slip,` the source added.

Carey and Cannon, who have three-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe, together, married in 2008.