Colin Firth has split from his wife, the Italian film producer Livia Giuggioli, after 22 years of marriage.

The pair share two sons, Luca and Matteo, who were both born in Rome, and lived together between London and Italy.

A joint statement from their publicists confirmed the news on Friday.

It said: “Colin and Livia Firth have separated. They maintain a close friendship and remain united in their love for their children.

“They kindly ask for privacy. There will be no further comment.”

The Academy Award, Golden Globe and Bafta winner shares a son with former partner Meg Tilly, his co-star in the film Valmont.

After they split Colin married Livia in 1997.

Colin and Livia were often seen together at red carpet events.

In 2017, it emerged that he had followed in the footsteps of his children and applied for dual UK and Italian citizenship, while Livia was applying for a British passport.

Colin is best known for playing a number of famously stiff-upper-lipped English figures on the big screen, including Bridget Jones’s Mark Darcy, Love Actually’s Jamie, and King George VI in The King’s Speech.