TOP GEAR host Paddy McGuinness and his wife Christine have announced they have split up.
The pair, who married in 2011, released a statement on Instagram confirming the separation.
The statement said despite the split, their main focus 'is to continue loving and supporting our children'.
The pair have twins Penelope and Leo, as well as Felicity, all of whom have been diagnosed with autism.
Christine revealed last year that she too had been diagnosed with the condition.
'Difficult decision'
In their statement, the pair said they had made the decision to split a while ago and although they hadn't intended to announce their decision, scrutiny of their personal life prompted them to speak out.
"We hadn't planned on sharing this publicly until we were ready but after the lack of privacy surrounding our personal life, we feel left with no other option but to clarify," read the statement.
"A while ago we took the difficult decision to separate but our main focus as always is to continue loving and supporting our children.
"This was not an easy decision to make but we're moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children.
"We'll always be a loving family, we still have a great relationship and still live happily in our family home together.
"We hope this now draws a line under anymore unwanted and unnecessary intrusion into our private life.
"Although we work in the public eye we ask kindly if you could respect our wishes for privacy on this matter."
Autism documentary
Second-generation Irishman Paddy rose to fame in the sitcom Phoenix Nights and its spin-off, Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere.
He later hosted dating show Take Me Out and in 2019 joined the Top Gear presenting team.
Last year, he replaced Sue Barker as host of the BBC's long-running quiz show, A Question of Sport.
Model and beauty queen Christine had a spell on The Real Housewives of Cheshire and has appeared as a guest on several television shows.
Last year, she appeared with her husband in the documentary Paddy and Christine McGuinness: Our Family and Autism.
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