Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow have announced that they are to split after 11 years of marriage.

The news was announced on Paltrow’s blog “Goop” and in the statement it is revealed that the pair have been trying to save their relationship for over a year.

The post, titled “Conscious Uncoupling” says: “It is with hearts full of sadness that we have decided to separate.

"We have been working hard for well over a year, some of it together, some of it separated, to see what might have been possible between us, and we have come to the conclusion that while we love each other very much we will remain separate.”

Paltrow has previously spoken about the difficulties that the pair have faced during their married life.

She told magazine Glamour: "You go through great times, you go through terrible times. We're the same as any couple.

"I asked my dad once, ''How did you and mum stay married for 33 years?'' And he said, ''Well, we never wanted to get divorced at the same time.' And I think that's what happens. When two people throw in the towel at the same time, then you break up, but if one person's saying: ''Come on, we can do this,'' you carry on."