LOS ANGELES, Sept 15 — Pop star Fergie and actor Josh Duhamel have announced they are separating after eight years of marriage.

"With absolute love and respect we decided to separate as a couple earlier this year,” the couple said in a joint statement.

"To give our family the best opportunity to adjust, we wanted to keep this a private matter before sharing it with the public. We are and will always be united in our support of each other and our family.”

The two married in 2009 and are parents to four-year-old son, Axl.