Billie Piper and Laurence Fox announce separation

Doctor Who actress Billie Piper and Lewis actor Laurence Fox have split up after more than eight years of marriage.

The pair released a statement on Fox's Facebook page saying that "no third parties" were involved in the end of their marriage and requested "space and privacy".

Fox, 37, and former pop singer Piper, 33, married in December 2007 and have two sons together.

Earlier this month, Fox was forced to apologise for swearing at a heckler while playing Charles de Gaulle in The Patriotic Traitor at London's Park Theatre.

Billie Piper and Laurence Fox have two sons together. Credit: PA

Piper was previously married to Radio 2 host Chris Evans, who is 16 years her senior. The pair separated in 2004 before divorcing in May 2007.

Fox is a member of the famous acting dynasty which includes his father James, best known for The Servant and Downton Abbey.

His uncle Edward starred in The Day Of The Jackal, while Fox's cousins Emilia and Freddie also act, and are known respectively for the BBC's Silent Witness and Channel 4's Cucumber.