Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin announce marriage split

“We have been working hard for well over a year, some of it together, some of it separated, to see what might have been possible between us, and we have come to the conclusion that while we love each other very much we will remain separate.

“We are, however, and always will be a family, and in many ways we are closer than we have ever been.

They added: “We are parents first and foremost, to two incredibly wonderful children and we ask for their and our space and privacy to be respected at this difficult time.

“We have always conducted our relationship privately, and we hope that as we consciously uncouple and co-parent, we will be able to continue in the same manner.”

Mrs Paltrow discovered her father came from a long line of eastern European rabbis as part of the US TV programme Who Do You Think You Are?

Her Polish great-great-grandfather was Rabbi Simon Paltrovich.

She has spoken publicly about raising her children, Apple and Moses, in a Jewish environment.

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