Jessica Simpson and husband separate after 10 years of marriage

Jessica Simpson and her husband Eric Johnson have separated after 10 years of marriage.

The 44-year-old singer-actress told how she and the 45-year-old former NFL player have been "living separately" recently and "navigating a painful situation".

In a statement to People, Jessica said: "Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage.

"Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them.

"We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family."

The couple got engaged in November 2010 after just six months together and married in July 2014 after dating for four years. They have three children together — son Ace Knute, 11, and daughters Maxi, 12, and Birdie, five.

Speculation about their marriage potentially being on the rocks grew late last year when Eric was spotted without his wedding ring in November, and Jessica was spotted without her band in December.

What's more, Jessica hadn't included Eric on her Instagram account since April and didn't mention his birthday on social media in September.

The pair also hadn't been spotted in public together since Birdie's kindergarten graduation in June.

In November, Jessica announced a comeback to music, describing it as an "apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve", which raised further eyebrows.

She wrote: "Interviews in my Nashville music room where I unearthed my singular magic.

"This comeback is personal, it's an apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve."

Last week, Jessica took to Instagram to share a cryptic post, writing: "Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth."

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