AJ McLean and his estranged wife Rochelle have been "going out on dates here and there".

The 47-year-old singer announced his separation from Rochelle in 2023, but AJ admits that the "love is still there" regardless of their current relationship status.

The Backstreet Boys star - who has daughters Elliott, 12, and Lyric, eight, with Rochelle - told Us Weekly: "We're doing good.

"We are co-parenting to the best of our ability, and we both have a lot of growing to kind of still go through, but I think we are moving in a really positive direction."

AJ suggested that he and his estranged wife could be on the road towards a reconciliation.

He explained: "We have a family together that's obviously not going anywhere.

"We have been spending a lot of time together as a family and, you know, her and I going out on dates here and there."

AJ's marriage suffered amid his struggles with drug addiction. But the chart-topping singer insists he's now in a much better place and he remains hopeful of reuniting with Rochelle one day.

He said: "Now things are completely different, but I think different in a good way for both of us.

"Fingers crossed that everything works out in the end, but either way, we'll always be close and love each other and be the best parents we could be for our girls."

In 2024, AJ revealed that he remained hopeful of reconciling with Rochelle.

The singer admitted that all options were still open, in spite of their high-profile split.

He told Us Weekly at the time: "I think we're in the best place we've almost ever been. So, you know, there's high hopes for the future. Who knows?"

Despite this, AJ acknowledged that his sobriety was his short-term priority.

The singer suggested that he needed to overcome his personal issues before he turned his focus towards Rochelle and their relationship.

The I Want It That Way hitmaker - who married Rochelle back in 2011 - said: "I'm just trying to stay focused on my sobriety, my kids, spending time with my family. Rochelle and I have an amazing relationship, and we're having a great time, honestly."