Antonio Banderas says he'll 'always love' Melanie Griffith

MADRID, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Nearly six months after Melanie Griffith filed for divorce from Antonio Banderas, the Spanish actor is still declaring his love for the woman who was his wife for almost 18 years.

Banderas, 54, opened up about his split from the Working Girl actress during a recent interview on the Spanish television show El Hormiguero, and admitted he had a "hard year."

"I had a lot of work, and my private life was also hard, but life goes on," said the Expendables star.

Asked about his work with Griffith in the sci-fi thriller Automata -- out on Jan. 23 in Spain -- Banderas said he "really [admires] Melanie as an actress."

"She is a person that I loved, I love and I always will love, whatever our status is," he added.

Griffith, 57, cited irreconcilable differences when she filed for divorce from Benchers in June of 2014. The couple has one child together, an 18-year-old daughter named Stella.

Since the separation, Banderas has confirmed his relationship with investment banker Nicole Kimpel and Griffith has begun laser removal of her "Antonio" tattoo.