Actors Anna Friel and David Thewlis have reportedly ended their nine-year relationship.
According to The Daily Mail the couple, who are parents to five-year-old girl, Gracie, have split and have been apart for the past six months due to acting commitments.
Speaking about Friel, 34, and Thewlis, 47, a friend said: "Things have not been great for a long time and they have tried to keep this quiet to protect everyone.
"It certainly did not help that Anna and David have been forced to live apart for so long, but there are other issues at hand that have made them realise the relationship was over."
The source added: "They do care about each other very much, and the most important thing now is that they both continue to be the best parents they can be for Gracie.
"They will have to see each other over Christmas at some point, but hopefully it will not be too painful."
Friel admitted in a previous interview that their relationship was far from conventional, saying: "He’s 13 years older than me. We have our own separate properties and we’re not married."
There was media speculation about their relationship when Friel was pictured kissing actor Joseph Cross, 23, her co-star in her West End play 'Breakfast At Tiffanys' last December.
However when Cross moved into the couple’s Hollywood home in April, Thewlis said: "Joseph is a good friend of mine. I have no problem with him staying at my house."
