Singer Kym Marsh and husband Jack Ryder have announced a trial separation after only a year of marriage.
The former Hear'Say star and ex-EastEnder blamed Marsh's work commitments for putting extra strain on their already "turbulent" relationship.
The 27-year-old singer has relaunched herself as a solo artist while Ryder, 21, has struggled to find work since quitting the BBC1 soap.
In a statement released via Marsh's management company, the couple said: "It is with sadness and regret that we have to announce we will be taking a trial separation as of today.
"Over the last couple of months we have experienced some turbulence in our relationship. This, together with Kym's work commitments, has added an even greater strain on the marriage.
"The decision to spend some time apart has been made mutually and amicably and our number one priority is to preserve the marriage and to consider the children. Hopefully with this time and space we will be able to sort out our differences and repair our relationship."
The couple share a home in St Albans, Herts, with Marsh's two children, Emily, five, and eight-year-old David.
They met in the BBC canteen when Ryder was starring as EastEnders' Jamie Mitchell, and married in a lavish wedding at St Albans Cathedral in August last year, selling the rights to a glossy magazine.
Cracks in the relationship began to show at the weekend when Marsh reportedly admitted: "For the past few months I've been away for days on end.
"We end up rowing on the phone - the only way we can communicate - and it upsets me. We scream at each other. Jack is broken-hearted over this." Marsh turned up alone at the London premiere of Legally Blonde 2 last week.
The former Hear'Say star and ex-EastEnder blamed Marsh's work commitments for putting extra strain on their already "turbulent" relationship.
The 27-year-old singer has relaunched herself as a solo artist while Ryder, 21, has struggled to find work since quitting the BBC1 soap.
In a statement released via Marsh's management company, the couple said: "It is with sadness and regret that we have to announce we will be taking a trial separation as of today.
"Over the last couple of months we have experienced some turbulence in our relationship. This, together with Kym's work commitments, has added an even greater strain on the marriage.
"The decision to spend some time apart has been made mutually and amicably and our number one priority is to preserve the marriage and to consider the children. Hopefully with this time and space we will be able to sort out our differences and repair our relationship."
The couple share a home in St Albans, Herts, with Marsh's two children, Emily, five, and eight-year-old David.
They met in the BBC canteen when Ryder was starring as EastEnders' Jamie Mitchell, and married in a lavish wedding at St Albans Cathedral in August last year, selling the rights to a glossy magazine.
Cracks in the relationship began to show at the weekend when Marsh reportedly admitted: "For the past few months I've been away for days on end.
"We end up rowing on the phone - the only way we can communicate - and it upsets me. We scream at each other. Jack is broken-hearted over this." Marsh turned up alone at the London premiere of Legally Blonde 2 last week.