Billie Piper and Laurence Fox have announced the end of their eight year marriage. A brief statement was posted on 37-year-old Laurence's official Facebook on Wednesday evening that read: "Laurence Fox and Billie Piper have separated. No third parties are involved. "For the sake of our family we request and appeal for space and privacy at this time."

Billie Piper and Laurence Fox have ended their marriage

Billie, 33, and Laurence first met while starring in a play called together in 2006, and were married at the 12th century parish church of St Mary’s in Eastbourne, near the family home, on New Year's Eve in 2007. They are parents to two sons, Winston, seven and three-year-old Eugene.The news of the split will come as a big shock to fans. Just last month Laurence was asked to describe his "perfect evening" and answered: "Sitting next to my wife, watching telly, taking it easy with a glass of wine and a Thai chilli and basil stir-fry chicken. "That's one of my signature dishes, so I cook it. But she's a great cook too," he said.

"Laurence Fox and Billie Piper have separated. No third parties are involved. For the sake of our family we request and appeal for space and privacy at this time"

The 37-year-old actor announced the news on Facebook

The star regularly talks about his wife, and previously said it was "love at first sight" when he met Billie. "It absolutely happened when I met Bill. We were in a rehearsal room and I knew there and then she was the one for me," he said in an interview in 2010.Billie was previously married to Chris Evans. Their relationship was considered controversial at the time; she was just 19 when they tied the knot after a whirlwind six-month romance, while Chris was 35.They split in 2004 and were divorced in 2007, but have remained good friends.

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