Fergie and Josh Duhamel split up after eight years of marriage

Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Recording artist Fergie and actor Josh Duhamel said Thursday they are ending their eight-year marriage.

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

Fergie, 42, and Duhamel, 44, are the parents of a 4-year-old son named Axl, People.com noted.