McAvoy and Duff pose for photos. The couple has a son Brendon who was born in 2010. (Photo : YouTube / wochit Entertainment)
James McAvoy, 37, and Anne-Marie Duff, 45, released a joint statement on May 13, Friday, to announce their divorce that ended their nine years of marriage. They married in a low-key, private ceremony on Oct. 18, 2006 and welcomed Brendan, their son in 2010.
The "X-Men: Apocalypse" star met his wife Anne-Marie when they were working together on the 2004 British series, "Shameless," where they portrayed lovebirds Steve McBride and Fiona Gallagher. They likewise co-starred in "The Last Station" in 2009. "It is with tremendous sadness that we have come to the decision to divorce," the couple's joint statement said.
The pair stated they continue being friends and focus on caring for their son. They added, "We ask that you respect our and, most importantly, our child's privacy during this time."
McAvoy and Duff are reportedly still living together as their relationship is amicable though each is now single. Both did not easily accept previous offers to work together, lest they will end up having a similar fate like their former co-stars Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, as well as Jennifer Gartner and Ben Affleck, Mail Online reported.
The couple have been notoriously evading the spotlight when it comes to their private life. Both were cautious, respecting the media and just using it to sell movies, USA Today reported. The last time both attended an event together was in November.
The news of McAvoy and Duff's split came as claims surfaced that the former has grown close to his co-star Alexandra Shipped, 24, whom he met on the set of "X-Men: Apocalypse" where he plays Professor X and she, as Storm.
The Scottish actor placed his hands around Shipp's waist as the two shared a joke at London's "X-Men: Apocalypse" premiere at BFI IMAX in London on May 9. The cast and crew filmed the latest X-Men instalment in Montreal, Canada in March 2015. McAvoy has been open about his marriage to the team and had grown fond with the actress.
Shipp made a name for herself when she started as a child star, and was known for being a part of Nickelodeon's "House of Anubis" where she played KT Rush. She rose to fame with the titular role in "Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B." She loves to sing and has recorded several tracks for her EP.
The video below talks about the McAvoy-Duff split.
