Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux announce separation after two years of marriage: 'This decision was mutual and lovingly made'

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are separating after two years of marriage, they said in a statement to AFP on 15 February.

The pair, who shared a mansion in the upscale Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, met on the set of the 2008 film Tropic Thunder in Hawaii, and started dating in 2011.

“In an effort to reduce any further speculation, we have decided to announce our separation,” the former couple said in the statement released by Aniston’s publicist Stephen Huvane.

“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.”

The statement said the couple would have kept the arrangement private, but wanted to make sure people heard the truth, “given that the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to speculate and invent.”

“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,” it continued.

It was the second marriage for former Friends star Aniston, who wed Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt in 2000 — forming one of Tinseltown’s most glamorous couples at the time.

They divorced in 2005 after Pitt met Angelina Jolie, from whom he is now estranged, on the set of Mr and Mrs Smith.

Theroux (Miami Vice, The Girl on the Train) was in a relationship with stylist Heidi Bivens for 14 years but the 46-year-old had never been married before meeting Aniston.

Soon after the news of Aniston-Theroux split surfaced in media, Twitterati poured the social media site with funny memes — mostly about Pitt and Aniston reuniting as a couple.

Brad Pitt about to drive by Jennifer's house like...#JenniferAniston pic.twitter.com/TRNL9LQaq7

— Jackie (@Jackieannroth) February 15, 2018

#JenniferAniston
When u realize both Jennifer Aniston & Brad Pitt are now single pic.twitter.com/Y9cxfIWQyH

— Sonia Grace (@soniagracemusic) February 15, 2018

Plot twist: she gets back with Brad Pitt and is step mom to Angelina’s kids #JenniferAniston pic.twitter.com/z60mXi2Jb0

— Jerry Don (@JerryDonut1) February 16, 2018

So #JenniferAniston and Brad Pitt are both single now pic.twitter.com/ldeU7JL7aj

— Amber (@glambergirlblog) February 15, 2018

When Brad Pitt sees #JenniferAniston is single again....... pic.twitter.com/lVTu2555wT

— 20Something & Living (@20SNL_) February 16, 2018

When you hear the #JenniferAniston divorce news pic.twitter.com/wIkdRUnybJ

— TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) February 15, 2018

When Brad finds out. #bradpitt #jenniferaniston pic.twitter.com/6E6o1W8Tvz

— Andi Beck (@Andibeck1) February 16, 2018

As much as a reunion of #BradPitt and #JenniferAniston would bring me pure joy, we all know it can’t happen because... pic.twitter.com/6YxBmMpna2

— ☀️ (@punziestower) February 16, 2018

(With inputs from AFP)