Dawn French and Lenny Henry split after 25 years

Lenny Henry and Dawn French are to separate after 25 years of marriage, their spokesman said.

In a statement, the comedians' PR representative Neil Reading said the couple made the decision six months ago, but had continued to live together in 'constant discussion'.

The couple's split is 'entirely amicable', he added.

The statement read: "Lenny Henry and Dawn French are sad to announce they have decided to separate after 25 years of marriage.

"They made the decision last October and since then have been living together in constant, open and honest discussion.

"The separation is entirely amicable and they fully intend to maintain their close friendship.

"Their priority is to commit to the future joint parenting of their daughter.

"They ask that the media respects the privacy of their family.

"No further comment will be made."

Lenny and Dawn met when they worked together in the Comic Strip TV comedy team in the early 1980s. They married in London in 1984.