Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Heather Mills McCartney have confirmed they are to separate.
In a joint statement the couple said: "Having tried exceptionally hard to make our relationship work given the daily pressures surrounding us, it is with sadness that we have decided to go our separate ways.
"Our parting is amicable and both of us still care about each other very much but have found it increasingly difficult to maintain a normal relationship with constant intrusion into our private lives, and we have actively tried to protect the privacy of our child.
"Separation for any couple is difficult enough, but to have to go through this so publicly, especially with a small daughter, is immensely stressful.
"We hope, for the sake of our baby daughter, that we will be given some space and time to get through this difficult period."
McCartney, who has spent the last two weeks apart from his wife of four years, made his shocking decision known to friends and family today.
Sir Paul was reported to have told one friend earlier: "We really can't go on like this. Enough is enough."
The friend added: "This hasn't just come from Paul. They've decided together that this is the best thing to do. It's by mutual agreement."
The couple had agreed to meet in London for "crisis talks" last week. But according to friends, 37-year-old Heather pulled out in order to stay at home with her sister in East Sussex, where she is recovering from a revision amputation on the leg she lost in an accident 13 years ago.
Sir Paul, who originally told friends he was planning a trip to New York to see lawyers, is thought to have changed his mind in the hope that he and his wife can sort out their differences.
A 'source' said earlier today: "Paul hasn't come to this decision lightly but felt things couldn't carry on as they were. He and Heather were getting on so badly it became impossible for them to sleep under the same roof.
"It's terribly sad for both of them. We're very concerned it’s all over. But nobody has lost hope."
Lady McCartney has revealed in the past that she offered to sign a prenuptial agreement before marrying Sir Paul, but said he turned her down.
The former model said she was prepared to draw up an agreement which would protect the ex-Beatle's estimated £800 million fortune if they split to show that her affections were genuine.
"I wanted to prove that I love him for him," she told Vanity Fair in 2002.
But she told the magazine that she would always remain financially independent.
"I believe every woman should have a reserve, because you never know what will happen in life.
Guys can get bored, especially if they feel they've just got you there," she said.
She gave birth to the couple's child Beatrice, who is now two, in the autumn of 2003.
Sir Paul already has three children from his marriage to Linda, who died in 1998 - musician James, photographer Mary, and fashion designer Stella. He also has a stepdaughter, Heather, from Linda's first marriage.
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