On Thursday,Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux confirmed that they were splitting up, calling time on their relationship after two and a half years of marriage and around seven years as a couple.
In a statement released through a representation that was designed ‘to reduce any further speculation’ on the subject, the couple revealed that they had ‘decided to announce [their] separation,’ a decision which was ‘mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year.’
‘We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship,’ they wrote, adding that ‘normally we would do this privately, but given that the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to speculate and invent, we wanted to convey the truth directly.’
NOW READ: Jennifer Aniston And Justin Theroux's Relationship In Pictures
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux - Grazia
1 of 22September 2011
Jennifer smiles as the couple leave a New York restaurant, shortly after it is confirmed that they are dating.
2 of 22September 2011
His and hers outfits on a walk through New York.
3 of 22September 2011
Dressed up for date night in New York.
4 of 22October 2011
At American Cinematheque's celebration of Robert Downey Jr in Beverly Hills.
5 of 22February 2012
Sharing a kiss as Jennifer is honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
6 of 22June 2012
Out and about in Paris.
7 of 22June 2012
Heading out for dinner in Paris.
8 of 22November 2012
At the American Cinematheque 26th Annual Award Presentation in Los Angeles.
9 of 22February 2013
Arriving on the red carpet at the Academy Awards.
10 of 22June 2014
At the premiere of Justin's HBO show, The Leftovers.
11 of 22November 2014
Reunited on the red carpet at the Governors Awards in Los Angeles.
12 of 22january 2015
At the Golden Globes, as Jennifer is nominated for her performance in *Cake. *
13 of 22January 2015
At HBO's Golden Globes after party.
14 of 22January 2015
His and hers tuxes at the Critics' Choice Awards.
15 of 22January 2015
Tearing up the red carpet at the SAG Awards.
16 of 22February 2015
At the 87th Academy Awards.
17 of 22January 2016
At the Critics' Choice Awards.
18 of 22jennifer aniston justin theroux
At the premiere of Zoolander 2, which Justin co-wrote.
19 of 22February 2017
At the Vanity Fair Oscars party.
20 of 22April 2017
At the premiere of *The Leftovers' * final season.
21 of 22jennifer aniston justin theroux
At the Series festival in Paris.
22 of 22July 2017
At the unveiling of Jason Bateman's Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
Despite the former couple’s best efforts, however, it was only ever going to be a matter of time before said gossip industry went into over drive to unpick the potential reasons behind the split. One theory has already emerged – and no, it doesn’t involve a reunion with Brad Pitt.
According to a new report in Entertainment Tonight, the split may have had its roots in a disagreement over where the couple should call home: New York, or Los Angeles.
A source told the publication that Justin ‘much prefers being [in New York] and that’s been a major issue for them for a long time. Justin has a very diverse friend group, and he likes that they aren’t all in the industry […] It’s an eclectic group and he doesn’t have that type of network in L.A.’
Jennifer’s heart, meanwhile, has always remained on the West Coast, and the uncontrollable paparazzi situation in New York made things uncomfortable, according to this source.
‘She just never really could get settled in. She wasn’t happy [in New York],’ they added. ‘He was bicoastal, she was not.'