James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff are to divorce

Hollywood star James McAvoy and his actress wife Anne-Marie Duff, who starred together in the first series of Shameless, have announced that they are to divorce after 10 years of marriage.

The couple released a statement which said they would continue to have 'friendship, love and respect for one another' despite the separation.

Anne-Marie Duff and James McAvoy (Matt Crossick/PA)

It read: “It is with tremendous sadness that we have come to the decision to divorce.

“We enter this next phase with continued friendship, love and respect for one another and the shared focus of caring for our son.

James is currently promoting X-Men: Apocalypse (Matt Crossick/PA)

“We ask that you respect our and, most importantly, our child’s privacy during this time.”

The couple, whose relationship started when they starred alongside each other in Channel 4 comedy-drama Shameless, had a son in 2010.

James, 37, is currently on a promotional tour for X-Men: Apocalypse, while multi-award winner Anne-Marie, 45, was last seen in the Shakespeare Live! celebrations in Stratford-upon-Avon last month.

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