Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones announce split

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are on the verge of ending their 13 year marriage.

The couple have confirmed their split after it emerged the pair have been living separate lives.

“Catherine and Michael are taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage,” a rep for the actress said in a statement.

The stars’ marriage has been plagued by difficulties over the years, including Catherine’s bipolar disorder, Michael’s cancer and his candid comments about what caused it.

In August 2010 Michael revealed he was suffering from stage IV throat cancer, and after undergoing treatment the actor stated the following January that the tumour was gone.

At the time, he attributed the illness to stress, his previous alcohol abuse and years of heavy smoking, but in June this year he made comments saying the HPV virus – which is contracted through oral sex – could have been the cause of his cancer.

Douglas backtracked on his remarks, but Catherine was said to be embarrassed by the comments, as Michael didn’t clarify he was exposed to the virus before meeting her, according to People magazine.

It has been claimed that this was the tipping point and a source told the publication: “Things went downhill from there.”

Michael revealed in a separate interview when Catherine was coming home after receiving treatment for her bi-polar disease, which annoyed the Chicago actress as she wanted this to remain private, the magazine reports.

The couple have been a constant support to each other through their respective illnesses and Michael gushed at the time of his cancer that his better half had been “wonderfully supportive”, which is why this news comes as such a shock.