Justin Theroux and Jennifer Aniston confirm split after two years of marriage

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux have separated after just over two years of marriage.

The couple said the decision to split "was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year".

The Friends star, 49, became engaged to actor and director Theroux in August 2012. They married in August 2015 but do not have any children.

The couple's statement said they would have handled their separation privately, but they wanted to counter tabloid speculation and "convey the truth directly".

They said they intend to maintain love and respect for each other.

"In an effort to reduce any further speculation, we have decided to announce our separation.

"This decision was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year.

"We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship.

"Normally we would do this privately, but given that the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to speculate and invent, we wanted to convey the truth directly.

"Whatever else is printed about us that is not directly from us, is someone else's fictional narrative. Above all, we are determined to maintain the deep respect and love that we have for one another."

Aniston and Theroux worked together on 2012's Wanderlust, in which she starred.

Theroux, 46, had a small role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and has several films slated for release this year, including Netflix's Mute out this month. His writing credits include Tropic Thunder, Iron Man 2 and Zoolander 2.

During an interview promoting Mute on Monday, Theroux said he and Aniston would not be together on her February 11 birthday or on Valentine's Day.

Aniston, 49, is featured on the cover of the current issue of Architectural Digest with a story about the "pure domestic bliss" of the Beverly Hills, California, home she shared with Theroux.

Known as much for her style and stalwart acting career as she is for being a tabloid target, Aniston was previously married to Brad Pitt from 2000 to 2005.

Aniston denounced tabloid culture in a 2016 op-ed, saying she "has worked too hard in this life and this career to be whittled down to a sad, childless human".

Aniston rose to fame on TV's Friends and has appeared in such films as Horrible Bosses, Office Christmas Party, Cake and Marley & Me.