Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-Lee Jackman announce they’re separating

Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-Lee have revealed they've split up.

The Greatest Showman actor and Stark star first met in 1995 on Australian TV series Corelli, before getting married a year later on 11 April 1996.

However, they've since decided to call it a day on their 27-year-long marriage, announcing their split in a statement to PEOPLE.

Deborra-Lee and Jackman met on the set of Correlli and it didn't take long for their friendship to blossom into something more.

In a previous interview with PEOPLE, Jackman recalled being in the car with his fellow actor and her taking off her seatbelt, turning around, removing her sunglasses and telling him it was 'nice to meet [him]'.

"Deb and I were already best friends, and I realized I've got a crush on my leading lady. This is the thing you do not do. It's unprofessional and embarrassing," he said.

However, a few weeks later, Jackman plucked up the courage to ask her out and just a year later they got married, going on to welcome two children.

Getty/ Dimitrios Kambouris/ The Met Museum/Vogue

The couple's statement confirming their split was released by PEOPLE earlier today (Friday, 15 September).

It reads: "We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth."

The pair - who share two children together, 18-year-old Ava and 23-year-old Oscar - noted their family 'has been and always will be [their] highest priority'.

Instagram/ @thehughjackman

The Australian couple celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary earlier this year in April.

In a post to Instagram, Jackman wrote: "I love you Deb. Today is our 27th wedding anniversary. 27 YEARS!! I love you so much. Together we have created a beautiful family. And life.

"Your laughter, your spirit, generosity, humor, cheekiness, courage and loyalty is an incredible gift to me. I love you with all my heart."

Their statement to PEOPLE concludes: "We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives."

The statement is reported as being the 'sole statement either of [them] will make' and was signed, 'Deb and Hugh Jackman'.

Topics: Celebrity, Sex and Relationships, Social media, Australia

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.