Liam Fox, best known for playing Dan Spencer on Emmerdale, and Nicole Barber-Lane, who stars as Myra McQueen on Hollyoaks, have announced their shock decision to split after 16 years of marriage. The couple are parting ways amicably, as revealed in a joint statement on Sunday.
"It is with much sadness that we confirm the end of our marriage, though our family unit remains strong," Liam and Nicole wrote. "We'll always love and respect each other and are united by our children and family remaining at the centre of our lives."
Liam, 44, and Nicole, 41, are parents to teenagers Gemma and Ben. It is believed that the family-of-four will continue to live in the same house for the "foreseeable future", as the couple want to spend as much time as possible with their brood before they reach adulthood.
Liam Fox and Nicole Barber-Lane will continue to live with their two children
"Liam and Nicole are divorcing as their relationship as man and wife has come to an end, but they genuinely remain good friends," an insider told Digital Spy. "They continue to socialise with each other and enjoy time together as a family with their children, also working on some projects together.
"They will continue to live together for the foreseeable future as they enjoy the precious last few years of their children being in the family home. There was no-one else involved in the split and it was a mutual decision."
The source added: "They have always chosen to live their family life outside of the public eye and ask for privacy at this time."
Liam and Nicole first met in 1997 and after two years the pair tied the knot in August 1999. While Liam is a regular cast member of Emmerdale, Nicole, who is currently taking a break from her Hollyoaks role, has also previously appeared in Emmerdale, Bodies and The Cops.