Colin Firth and his wife Livia have broken up after 22 years of marriage

Colin Firth and his wife Livia Giuggioli have announced their split after 22 years of marriage.

A spokesperson for the couple confirmed the news in a statement to the Daily Mail. 

"Colin and Livia Firth have separated. They maintain a close friendship and remain united in their love for their children," they said. "They kindly ask for privacy. There will be no further comment".

The couple first met in 1996 on the set of the BBC drama, Nostromo. They wed the following year and share two teenage sons, Matteo and Luca. Firth also shares a son with Meg Tilly, who was his co-star in the film Valmont.  Last year, it came to light that the couple had previously separated "a few years ago." During that time, Livia is reported to have been involved with a former friend named Marco Brancaccia. He was later accused of stalking her. "A few years ago Colin and Livia privately made the decision to separate. During that time Livia briefly became involved with former friend Mr Brancaccia. The Firths have since reunited," the representative for the couple told E! News at the time. "Subsequently, Mr Brancaccia carried out a frightening campaign of harassment over several months, much of which is documented. As a consequence of his stalking, threats and refusal to desist, the legal complaint was lodged with the Italian authorities." Brancaccia denied the allegations to The Times.