Entertainmentuktv TV dramaSherlock

'Sherlock' Stars Martin Freeman, Amanda Abbington Confirm Split Ahead Of New Series

The couple has been together for 16 years.
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

‘Sherlock’ stars Martin Freeman and Amanda Abbington have revealed they have separated, with the news coming just a week before they will co-star in Series 4 of their hit show.

Martin, whose roles in ‘The Hobbit’ and TV series ‘Fargo’ have made him a huge name on both big and small screens, confirmed the split to the Financial Times, stressing that the pair remain on very good terms.

He said: “I’m not with Amanda any more. It’s very, very amicable - I’ll always love Amanda.”

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Martin Freeman and Amanda Abbington have separated after 16 years together
Barry King via Getty Images

And he revealed the boost in his career over the last few years may have had its part to play in their separation, saying:

“To a certain extent, yes. Not as much as it might have done, and not as much as maybe I would have hoped it had.”

The two actors have been together since 2000, and have two children together. They have always played down their private life, despite appearing in multiple projects together, including the film where they met ‘Men Only’, followed by ‘The Debt’, ‘Swinging with the Finkels’, ‘The Robinsons’ and ‘The All Together’.

They play husband and wife in the hit BBC show ‘Sherlock’, set to return for its fourth series on New Year’s Day. This time around sees their characters Doctor and Mrs Watson welcome a new baby, which means Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) has babysitting duties, to fit around his sleuthing.

Celebs Who Handled Their Splits Like A Boss
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake(01 of11)
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Let's be honest, break-ups can be messy, particularly in the glare of the spotlight, so it's good to see when two celebrities can put their differences aside and still be friends, as Cameron and Justin did - even eventually going on to star in 'Bad Teacher' together. (credit:Jim Spellman via Getty Images)
Harry Styles(02 of11)
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No one is exactly sure what happened between Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, but even after she appeared to mock him during an awards show performance, he's had nothing but good things to say about her and her music in the press.

Whether he's genuinely happy for her, or he's simply killing her with kindness is unclear, but either way, we could all learn a thing or two from Hazza. (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
Jennifer Aniston(03 of11)
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And speaking of how to flawlessly handle a break-up... The media coverage surrounding Jennifer Aniston for the decade after her split from Brad Pitt, was often unnecessary, cruel and steeped in sexism.

Through it all, though, she kept her head high, continued working and, more importantly, smiling away, despite what was said about her in the press.

Now she's one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, and is married to her long-time partner, Justin Theroux. (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
Mariah Carey(04 of11)
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When she and the father of her two children, Nick Cannon, split, Mariah was determined not to give the press the dirt they were craving.

So much so, when approached by a TMZ reporter, Mimi said simply: "Oh, it's much too hot to talk."

Flawless. (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
Elin Nordegren(05 of11)
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Elin Nordegren - better known as the former Mrs Tiger Woods - is our personal break-up hero.

So, your husband has repeatedly cheated on you and the world's media are talking about it? Whatever.

Elin's attitude throughout the scandal was flawless: head down, sunglasses on ... and just wait for that divorce settlement to roll in. Props to you, Elin. (credit:Orlando Sentinel via Getty Images)
Katy Perry(06 of11)
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However, sometimes it's difficult to pretend you're anything other than hurt. And do you know what? That's OK too.

In showing her vulnerable side in her documentary film, 'Part Of Me', Katy undoubtedly assured a lot of people that it's not about how hard you fall, it's how you get back up again. (credit:JB Lacroix via Getty Images)
Gwyneth Paltrow(07 of11)
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Gwyneth Paltrow hasn't had a bad word to say about Chris Martin ever since they "consciously uncoupled" in 2014, and even spoke favourably about his relationship with Jennifer Lawrence.

Instead, she focused on her own career, her family and friends, and the continuing growth of her site, Goop. Now that's how you tackle a break-up like a boss. (credit:Sonia Moskowitz via Getty Images)
Katie Price(08 of11)
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Perhaps not quite to this extent, but sometimes a night out with your friends can be just the thing to get you through a break-up, as Katie Price proved when she flew to Ibiza, shortly after splitting up from Peter Andre. (credit:Dave Wood via Getty Images)
Jennifer Lopez(09 of11)
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Determined not to let anyone paint her as a victim, J-Lo bounced back from her split with Marc Anthony by getting together with a far younger man.

Nice one, Jen. (credit:Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images)
Perrie Edwards(10 of11)
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Similarly, the world of entertainment journalism seemed determined to paint Perrie Edwards as a victim when she broke up with ex-fiancé Zayn Malik, particularly when he quickly got together with Gigi Hadid.

How did she respond to that? With independence anthem 'Shout Out To My Ex', which quickly topped the UK singles chart, and bagged Little Mix their first ever Brit Award. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Adele(11 of11)
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And then, of course, there's Adele, who managed to turn her disastrous break-up to her advantage and bag herself a wheelbarrow of Grammys, which we have all the admiration in the world for.

What was it Beyoncé said about 'lemons' and 'lemonade' again..? (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
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