A Kent-born Hollywood actress and her partner have become the latest celebrity couple to announce they are splitting after a long-term relationship.

Naomi Watts, who was born in Shoreham and starred in King Kong and Diana among other blockbusters, confirmed in a statement that her 11-year relationship with actor Liev Schreiber, 48, has ended.

The pair have two children, Alexander, nine, and seven-year-old Samuel, and have said they will continue to raise the youngsters together.

In a joint statement, Watts, 47, and the children’s father said: “Over the past few months we’ve come to the conclusion that the best way forward for us as a family is to separate as a couple.

“It is with great love, respect and friendship in our hearts that we look forward to raising our children together and exploring this new phase of our relationship.

“While we appreciate your curiosity and support, we ask the press to be mindful of our children and respect their right to privacy.”

The breakdown of the couple’s relationship comes just days after movie mega stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt sent their fans into meltdown by confirming they were divorcing after 12 years together.

Early in the summer, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard hit the headlines when their marriage broke down amid claims Depp had been violent.

Watts first found fame in Australia, hitting the big screens in drama For Love Alone in 1986 before appearing in soap Home and Away in the nineties.

But she became a household name after starring in psychological thriller Mulholland Drive in 2001 and followed up that success with a part in horror movie The Ring a year later.

She has since played Princess Diana in a film about the royal’s life, won several critics’ awards and been nominated for two Academy Awards and a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards).

American Schreiber appeared in the Scream horror trilogy and starred in Oscar-winning biographical drama Spotlight.