Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz have called time on their relationship, blaming hectic work schedules. Filming commitments have forced them to spend increasing amounts of time away from each other and put pressure on the pair.
After over a year as one of Hollywood's hottest couples, they confirmed their split to People magazine. They have "decided to take time off as a couple" said the joint statement. "Due to busy work schedules and so much time apart, they mutually decided four weeks ago that separating was the best thing to do at this time."
The Sahara star, 36, is currently in the US shooting We Are Marshall, about former football coach Jack Lengyel, while his former girlfriend - who previously dated Tom Cruise - is in Spain filming Manolete, a biopic about the legendary bullfighter co-starring Adrien Brody.
According to sources 32-year-old Penelope, who recently won the best actress gong at Cannes, had found it hard seeing her beau only every six weeks. The couple were last spotted together when the heart-throb visited her in Spain in March. Speaking earlier in the year about his beautiful Spanish love, the actor told Oprah: "She's lovely and she's pure."
It's not the last we'll see of the gorgeous twosome, however, as they are due to reunite on screen for an upcoming adaptation of The Loop, the story of a patrol highwayman who is encouraged to look for his parents after taking up with a new lady friend.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
