Actress Rachael Leigh Cook and husband Daniel Gillies announce split after 14 years of marriage

Actress Rachael Leigh Cook and husband Daniel Gillies have announced split after 14 years of marriage.

The actress, who starred in nineties classic hits The Baby-Sitters Club and She’s All That, and her actor husband Daniel both took to Instagram to announce their split in joint statements.

Posting an image on their respective Instagram accounts that shows the joint statement, the pair wrote: ‘With deep gratitude for every year we have spent together and the thousands of beautiful memories shared, we have mutually decided to separate as a couple.

‘This decision isn’t one we have come to easily or lightly,’ they continued. 'We love and respect each other as parents, people and artists and look forward to maintaining the best parts of our relationship for many years to come.

‘Your discretion in this matter is kindly requested for the sake of our children during this time of transition. Thank you to those of you who are already aware; for your tremendous compassion and understanding.

‘Lots of love, Rachael and Daniel.’

The pair married back in 2004 after dating since 2001 and share two children together, five-year-old daughter Charlotte and four-year-old son Theodore.

RELATED: Divorce process for children - Child psychologist reveals the age children are most affected

In an interview last year with US Weekly, Rachael dropped hints about her marriage with Daniel, who is best known for playing Elijah Mikaelson in TV shows The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, saying that the pair couldn’t practice lines together.

‘No, we don’t because — divorce,’ she joked. ‘That’s just not something that is good for us. I’m sure that’s good for other actor couples but we had to throw in the towel on that one.’

‘Something I need to learn, myself, is it’s a wonderful thing to be self-sufficient but it’s also good to be actively vulnerable so your partner can feel needed as well,’ she continued. ‘That’s an important part of a partnership because it defines their role as your rock in this life. It’s something that I need to get a little bit better at.’