Actor James Nesbitt has split from his wife after 19 years of marriage.

The Cold Feet star and his partner Sonia Forbes-Adam have been living apart for "some time" but remain friends.

A spokesman says, "James and Sonia are living separately and have been for some time. They are on the best of terms and ask that the family's privacy be respected."

The split comes after Nesbitt was primarily located in New Zealand for two years while filming the role of Bofur on The Hobbit trilogy.

The couple met in 1989 and went on to wed in 1994. They have two daughters, Peggy, 16, and 11-year-old Mary.