Bianca de la Garza

Bianca de la Garza

Bianca de la Garza and David Wade are calling it quits. The local morning anchors, who have been married for 12 years and work for competing stations - she’s with WCVB-TV (Channel 5), he’s with WBZ-TV (Channel 4) - confirmed the split yesterday through manager Mendes Napoli. “This is a very difficult time for both of them. Their focus remains today and in the future on raising their daughter,’’ said Napoli, who will continue to represent both de la Garza and Wade. In a Globe profile of the pair last year, Wade said, of competing with his wife for ratings: “For 30 seconds, there was a feeling of, all right, we are going to compete against each other. Does that mean we are going to have ill feelings toward the other. . .?’’ De la Garza said of the rivalry: “It brings out the best in both of us.’’

Perhaps their on-air rivalry spilled over off the air. Or maybe their long, loooong romance just ran its course. But either way, a spokesman for David Wade and Bianca de la Garza confirmed yesterday that the Boston TV couple is Splitsville. “After 12 years, David Wade and Bianca de la Garza have decided to end their marriage,” said the couple’s agent, Mendes J. Napoli . “This is a very difficult time for both of them. Their focus remains today, and in the future, on raising their daughter. I hope you will understand how difficult this time is and respect their need for privacy.” Word from insiders is that Bianca, who now does the morning news on Channel 5, while David does the competing broadcast on Channel 4, may have been the one to end the marriage. “I don’t think it was his idea,” said Someone Who Knows. “He’s very sad.” Word is, there may have been problems in the marriage for some time. An audience member said the couple seemed cold and distant when they hosted the New England Emmy Awards this past spring.