Hollywood golden couple split

Hollywood golden couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have split after four and a half years of marriage.

13:48 08 January 2005

Hollywood golden couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have split after four and a half years of marriage.

The couple stressed that while they have decided to go their separate ways after a total of seven years together, they remain "committed and caring friends".

"For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media," the pair announced in a joint statement released to People magazine.

"This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration."

"We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another. We ask in advance for your kindness and sensitivity in the coming months," the couple added.

Ocean's Twelve star Pitt, 41 and Friends actress Aniston, 35, met in 1998 when they were set up on a dinner date. The pair wed in July 2000 at a lavish ceremony in Malibu.

The announcement of the split follows months of tabloid speculation, including reports that Pitt was keen to become a father, but that his wife was more reluctant to start a family.

Recent press photographs picturing Aniston without her wedding ring fuelled further speculation about marriage problems between the pair.

Despite the rumours, the couple appeared to be on good terms in the New Year, when they holidayed on the Caribbean island of Anguilla with Aniston's former Friends co-star Courteney Cox and her husband David Arquette.