Martin Freeman has never tied the knot in real life - but he was married to his ex on-screen.
The popular The Office and The Hobbit actor, who is starring in thrilling new BBC drama The Responder this week, spent 16 years with his long-term partner - Amanda Abbington.
The pair met on the set of the film Men Only in 2000 before going on to work together in a number of TV shows and films, including BBC comedy The Robinsons and 2007 movie The Good Night.
But their most notable appearance on-screen came in crime drama Sherlock, where Martin played his faithful sidekick Doctor Watson and Amanda starred as his wife, Mary Morstan.
They had two children together, son Joe and daughter Grace, broke up in 2016 then awkwardly had to carry on filming with each other.
Both claimed that they were remaining civil for the sake of their kids and were still good friends, but could not live with each other anymore.
Get the news you want straight to your inbox. Sign up for a Mirror newsletter here .
Amanda told The Sunday Times magazine: "When we broke up nobody knew, we didn't tell anybody except for a few key people because they had to know, because of the logistics of hotels and stuff.
"We still get on really well, we still really both admire each other as actors... he's a great guy, but we just couldn't live with each other any more."
Back in 2018, Amanda opened up about her struggle to cope with the collapse of the relationship.
She told Red Magazine she thought Martin was the love of her life, but their relationship broke down and led to "one of the darkest moments" of her life.
She added, at the time: "We still love each other - even if we're not in love with each other - and neither of us sees our relationship as a failure.
"We had 16 great years together and have two fantastic kids. We still talk and we still give each other advice."
In a 2017 interview with Radio Times following their split, Martin similarly described how the ex-couple were on amicable terms.
"We split up a while ago," he said. "I mean, we're very friendly and it's all lovely and cool. Yes, we've not been together for a while. I mean, we did the series not together.
"I'm all right, yes. I mean, we're honest to God doing it [separating] in about as civilised a manner as I've ever heard of, you know.
"I love Amanda's work. I think she's brilliant as an actor and she's brilliant as a woman and, yes, I love her. I will always love Amanda, but, yes, we're… you know, that's what's happened."
In April last year, Amanda claimed the pair's split could have caused "irreparable damage" to their kids.
Speaking on Instagram in live session for the It’s OK mental health campaign, the actress explained that she wanted her kids to know that "there's nothing to be frightened of or ashamed of" no matter what they go through.
Speaking about the breakdown of her relationship to Martin and its effect on their kids, she said: "I'm sure I’ve given them irreparable damage and they will be going to therapy because of me and Martin at some point."
Martin's son has a famous godfather, Hot Fuzz actor Simon Pegg, who is a close friend.
"I was always being mistaken for Simon Pegg earlier in my career, and him for me. We’re good mates. Simon is godfather to my son," he said in 2013.
In November 2020, The Sun reported Martin was in a new relationship with a woman decades younger.
He was spotted out with French actress Rachel Mariam, who appeared in Normal People, while they spent lockdown together at his North London home.
"It’s still early days but they are getting on really well. They both love the same films and Martin supports her acting and writing career," a source said.
"They have spent quite a bit of time together at his home in North London because of Covid, but Rachel was able to meet some of his friends before lockdown.
"They both love the same films and Martin supports her acting and writing career."
*The Responder airs tonight on BBC One at 9pm
Do you have a story to share? Email webfeatures@trinitymirror.com
