Hilary Duff and her husband, MIKE COMRIE, announced their separation today (Friday 10th January). A statement was released by Duff's representative, speaking exclusively to People, who announced the couple "have mutually decided to an amicable separation."  The release continued by claiming the two will "remain best friends and will continue to be in each other's lives."

Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie
Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie announced their separation today (10th January 2014).

The separation does appear, at this very early stage, to be amicable and 26-year-old Duff tweeted, an hour ago, on her and 33-year-old Comrie's behalf. She thanked fans for their well wishes in a tweet which reads: "Mike and I are sitting here, we are so appreciative of all your kindness and well wishes. Not an easy day but we're getting through it together."

This amicability has further been emphasised by Duff's mother, Susan. Susan Duff spoke to TMZ and said that, although she loves her son-in-law, the couple are "better friends than a married couple." 

Duff first met Canadian Ice Hockey player Comrie in 2007 and they married in August 2010. They have one son together, named Luca Cruz Comrie, who is twenty-one months old.  The issue of custody has been raised and, according to People's sources, they will co-parent their son. The representative's release also referred to this aspect of their relationship, stating "They are dedicated to loving and parenting their amazing son, and ask for privacy at this time." 

January is often hailed as 'divorce month', as The Huffington Post blog reports, owing to the large number of relationships which end following the pressures of the holiday season. It's hardly surprising that so many divorces are filed during the first month of the year. Duff and Comrie's happens to be the first high-profile celebrity separation of the year. Here's an unhappy thought, as we're only a third of the way through January, could there be more to come?  

Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie
Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie photographed together in August 2010, shortly after they married.