Hollywood’s most glamorous couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have decided to split after four and a half years of marriage, confirmed their publicist on Friday.

“We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate,” Pitt and Aniston said yesterday in a joint statement reported by People Magazine on its Web site.

“For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media. This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration.

“We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another. We ask in advance for your kindness and sensitivity in the coming months.”

There was no further comment or word on whether the couple plans a divorce.

However, the pair spent New Year’s weekend together on the Caribbean island of Anguilla with Aniston's former Friends co-star Courteney Cox and David Arquette.

According to the rumors of tabloid press, the marriage was falling apart over having a family with children and the couple has been on rocks since Brad and Angelina Jolie starred together in the film Mr and Mrs Smith last February.

Pitt, 41, met Aniston, 35, when they were set up on a blind date by their reps in 1998. The couple tied the knot in a sumptuous $1 million seaside ceremony in Malibu in July 2000. The wedding featured 200 guests, icluding actress Cameron Diaz and Aniston’s Friends co-stars, 50,000 flowers, four music bands and a fireworks finale.

The two celebrities have repeatedly been named among America’s “most beautiful people” and the “hottest Hollywood couples” by People and other media outlets.

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Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston remain friends after split