Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston Split

Rumours Fly As Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston Split

When Hollywood's most glamorous couple announced their separation over the weekend, they appealed to the media for "kindness and sensitivity" in the coming months.

The request seemed hopelessly optimistic. He was, after all, voted sexiest man alive and she starred in Friends, America's best-loved sitcom of the past decade.

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston are prime tabloid fodder and pages were devoted to speculation on the reasons for their split. Much of the press fell back on the rumour that Pitt wanted children, while Aniston was more interested in building her film career.

Others, including the News of the World, linked Pitt, 41, to the actor Angelina Jolie, his co-star in the upcoming film Mr and Mrs Smith.

In a statement to People magazine, the couple said they had decided to formally separate after seven years together but said the reason was "not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media".

Instead, they said: "This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration. We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another."

Hollywood's golden couple are also among its highest earners. Pitt reportedly pulls in up to $26m (£14m) for a film and Aniston, 35, makes up to $27m. They also co-own Plan B, a production company involved in Tim Burton's forthcoming remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The pair had a lavish wedding in Malibu five years ago.

Both Pitt and Aniston had fuelled tabloid gossip with comments given in recent interviews. Pitt told Vanity Fair last year: "There is so much pressure from day one to be with someone forever, and I'm not sure if it really is in our nature to be with someone for the rest of our lives."

Aniston appeared to be even more candid when she told W Magazine: "Is he the love of my life? I think you're always kind of wondering." Speculation reached fever pitch when she was recently spotted without her wedding ring.

Just two months ago, the couple were reported to have been looking to buy a $3m home in London.

The couple were on holiday together over the new year on the Caribbean island of Anguilla with former Friends co-star Courteney Cox and her husband, David Arquette, prompting American celebrity magazines to suggest the marriage was on firmer footing.