Gavin and Stacey's Ruth Jones splits from husband after 26 years

Ruth Jones and David Peet have split after 26 years. The couple, who tied the knot in 1999, announced they separated 18 months ago. In a joint statement, they told PA news agency: "We amicably went our separate ways 18 months ago and are now legally separated. We remain good friends. Since our separation, Ruth is living in London and David is living in Canada, where he is in a new relationship."

The pair reportedly met while filming a pilot episode of a BBC comedy show, at which point David was married with three children. Ruth, 58, confessed there was an overlap when their relationship started, saying: "Affairs cause a lot of pain, they're not something one aspires to do. You don't aspire to cause pain to people in their life."

Prior to their first meeting, Ruth recalled speaking to David on the phone. "It was love at first voice because I spoke to [him] on the phone before I met him," she confessed.

The star rarely spoke about their relationship, but disclosed in 2008: "He has a very sharp mind combined with a dry Yorkshire wit, making him a naturally funny man."

David, a writer, producer and executive producer, has worked alongside Ruth on a number of projects. The duo founded Tidy Productions together in 2008 and produced Ruth Jones' Sunday Brunch, her show on Radio Wales between 2008 and 2009.

He co-created the British comedy-drama Stella, which first aired in 2012 and starred Ruth as the titular character. David also worked on several episodes of Gavin and Stacey, including the 2019 Christmas Special.

Ruth shot to fame playing Nessa in the beloved sitcom, which she co-created with James Corden.

While Ruth is a stepmum to David's three children, Louise, Alex, and Fiona, she previously reflected on not starting a family of her own.

"It just didn't happen. It wasn't a decision. I don't have a burning desire to have babies," she told Daily Mail.

For those who yearn for children and face challenges, she empathised: "I think it's heartbreaking if you do and you find out you can't have them. I love being a stepmum - all the joys of motherhood without the pain of childbirth."