Friends with the ex: The A-listers show how it's done
These famous former couples are living proof that you really can be friends with the ex. From Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, to Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr, here are the celebs that stayed friends post-break-up:
Getty ImagesSplit: The couple married in 2010 before their subsequent divorce 14-months later.
This hasn’t happened yet but Russell Brand has just revealed that he would like to rekindle his friendship with his ex-wife Katy Perry. He told Grazia, “I’m willing and open for reconciliation, any kind. If we can’t overcome our relatively trivial personal disputes in this world, what hope is there for us?”. The British-born comedian went on to say, "“I don’t regret being married to Katy at all. I have very positive feelings about that whole experience and Katy is an extraordinary woman.”
Rex FeaturesChris Evans & Jenny Slate
Split: In January 2017, after eight months together.
It's been only a couple months since Chris Evans and Jenny Slate broke up, but the exes are in the best of terms. Meeting at the Los Angeles premiere of Gifted, they jokingly shook hands when bumped into each other, and even posed for photos on the red carpet.
REX FeaturesPaul Wesley & Phoebe Tonkin
Split: In March 2017, after four years together.
Although Paul and Phoebe recently confirmed their split to E! News, the exes were seen amicably hanging out at a farmer's market in California. The former couple met on the set of The Vampire Diaries back in 2012, and dated for four years.
Rex FeaturesKate Bosworth & Orlando Bloom
Split: In 2006, after three years together.
Though Kate was reportedly heartbroken when her and Orlando first split, calling their young relationship "too intense", there's clearly no bad blood. The pair have been spotted during several chance reunions in LA, including a meeting at a gala [pictured] in October 2014. Orlando even gave Kate's husband Michael Polish a congratulatory hug on their marriage. And it's clear Orlando is stand-up guy when it comes to break-ups as he's also on great terms with...
Getty ImagesEd Sheeran & Ellie Goulding
Split: In 2013, after briefly dating.
It may have ended awkwardly between Ed and Ellie, with him reportedly writing hit song Don't about her cheating. But the pair are clearly on friendly terms these days, as they proved when they shared an embrace on the 2014 Victoria's Secret show pink carpet. We imagine all those record sales helped Ed get over it...
Rex FeaturesOrlando Bloom & Miranda Kerr
Split: In October 2013 after six years together.
The couple have vowed to stay close for son Flynn. Two months after his separation from Miranda was announced in December 2013, Orlando said: "We're a family. We'll always love each other and we're going to be in each other's lives." And the pair have stayed true to their word, even planning to spend Christmas 2014 together.
Rex FeaturesKris Jenner & Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn Jenner)
Split: In 2013 after 22 years of marriage.
Kris and Bruce announced they were splitting in October 2013, before Kris filed for divorce a year later. The reality power duo were on such amicable terms that they had managed to keep their separation secret for nearly a year. And five months after breaking the news, they even went on a family trip to Thailand together and arrived back at LAX hand-in-hand. Clearly they're staying true to their joint statement, which read: "We will always remain best friends and, as always, our family will remain our number one priority."
PA PhotosJennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony
Split: In 2011, after seven years of marriage.
Marc and J-Lo have stayed close for the sake of their kids, and even performed together in 2012 at the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live concert in Las Vegas just 11 months after splitting. They raised huge cheers from the crowd as they embraced and left the stage with their arms around each other.
Getty ImagesMadonna & Sean Penn
Split: In 1989, after four years of marriage.
Despite a famously firey relationship , these two have stayed pals. Sean even showed up to support Madge's film Secret Project Revolution in September 2013. In return Madge travelled to Haiti to see Sean's relief projects there. Proof that sometimes you're better off as friends than lovers.
PA PhotosCameron Diaz & Justin Timberlake
Split: In 2007, after three years of dating.
After their break-up, Cameron and Justin worked together, starring in the comedy Bad Teacher. While it could have been awkward, Cammy explained to Us Weekly: "Justin and I have always had a good laugh together...and there really was no one else who was more perfect for this part."
Getty ImagesKate Beckinsale & Michael Sheen
Split: In 2003, after eight years together.
The exes embraced when they bumped into one another on the red carpet at the premiere of Love & Friendship. Michael's new girlfriend Sarah Silverman was also there and joined in with the hugs. This should be awkward... Why, just WHY isn't it?
GoffPhotosNina Dobrev & Ian Somerhalder
Split: In May 2013, after three years of dating.
These two are the ultimate example of amicable exes. With their 10-year age difference reportedly to blame for their decision to split - Nina wasn't ready to settle down, apparently - they remain close friends. So close, in fact, that they scored the award for Best On-screen Chemistry in January 2014 at the People's Choice Awards, which Ian celebrated by planting a big kiss on Nina's cheek.
“It’s a good thing it’s not awkward... well, it’s a good thing we have chemistry,” Nina told Nylon Magazine of the win. They can also often be seen Tweeting support to each other on special occasions. Aww!
PA PhotosMindy Kaling & BJ Novak
Split: In 2004, after an on-off relationship.
The US Office stars are so friendly that they are planning to write a book together - about their romance!
FlynetKate Hudson & Matt Bellamy
Split: In 2014, after four years of dating and a three-year engagement.
The news that Kate and Matt were no more finally went public several months after their split. They'd managed to keep it under wraps, namely because they'd parted ways so amicably and were still hanging out. Matt tweeted on December 10: "Love all of you guys! We're both very happy, it's for the best." They were spotted enjoying a breakfast outing together with son Bingham just a week later. Kate's also remained on good terms with another ex...
PA PhotosKate Hudson & Chris Robinson
Split: In 2006, after six years together.
Kate has previously spent Father’s Day with Chris and their son Ryder. She explained: “I love Chris to pieces. We still talk every day. He still cracks me up. And Ryder feels that."
Rex FeaturesChris Martin & Gwyneth Paltrow
Split: In 2014, after nearly 11 years of marriage.
Chris and Gwyneth famously 'consciously uncoupled' (whatever that means) after over a decade of marriage. As well as avoiding the term break-up, in the open letter confirming their split, Chris and Gwynnie said they were "closer than ever". They've since been spotted on several dinner dates looking very happy together.
Rex FeaturesAshlee Simspson & Pete Wentz
Split: In 2011, after three years of marriage.
While there were rumours of a custody battle over son Bronx, Pete told Ryan Seacrest: "Ashlee's been my best friend for five years. I have nothing but love and respect for her...and the most important thing is to put our son first." The pair even spent a Valentine's day together post break-up.
Rex FeaturesCourtney Cox & David Arquette
Split: In 2010, after 11 years of marriage.
These two are a model of how to stay friends with your ex. Courtney told People Magazine shortly after their split: "[David is] my favorite person in the world. No matter what happens in our future, he's my very best friend." And as proof, they still run they still co-run their production company, Coquette Productions.
Rex FeaturesHigh Grant & Elizabeth Hurley
Split: In 2000, after 13 years together.
The pair remained BFFs, with Liz choosing Hugh as godfather to her son Damian. And before she split with husband Arun Nayar, Hugh regularly tagged along on outings with the couple.
Getty ImagesKatie Holmes & Joshua Jackson
Split: In 1999.
Katie and her Dawson’s Creek co-star Joshua had an eight-month relationship during the first season of the show. Katie describes Joshua as her “first love” and the pair remained close friends during their time on Creek. They lost touch while Katie was married to Tom Cruise, but have since rekindled their friendship, with Joshua explaining of their reunion: "Like any old friend, it was like, 'Oh, hi how are ya? What's going on?' 'I had a kid.' 'Yeah, that's crazy, I heard!'"
Rex FeaturesReese Witherspoon & Ryan Phillippe
Split: In 2008 split, after nine years of marriage.
But proving that sometimes a bitter breakup can be turned around, the pair are now great friends and have told press they've helped each other through subsequent breakups through the years. With Reese now happily married to Jim Toth, Ryan often joins them on days out along with their two children, Ava and Deacon.
PA PhotosHilary Duff & Mike Comrie
Split: In 2014, after three years of marriage.
One of the most mature break-ups we've seen in recent times, the pair insist that they'll "remain best friends and will continue to be in each other's lives." To which they've held true, even seen hand-in-hand at the park just a few days before the news broke.
PA PhotosJoe Jonas & Demi Lovato
Split: In 2010.
The pair continue to move in the same circles and Joe told Us Weekly: "Demi and I are good friends and we have been friends for years."
Rex FeaturesAngelina Jolie & Jonny Lee Miller
Split: In 1997, after one year of marriage.
Even after divorcing, these two attended the Golden Globes together and continued to do joint charity work. Ange explained: "It comes down to timing. I think he's the greatest husband a girl could ask for. I'll always love him. We were simply too young."
Rex FeaturesBruce Willis & Demi Moore
Split: in 2000, after 13 years of marriage.
Among the sweetest of exes, Demi and Bruce continued to appear alongside one another on the red carpet long after their romance had fizzled. "I love Demi," Bruce told Good Morning America shortly after she and Ashton Kutcher got together.
Rex FeaturesKaley Cuoco & Johnny Galecki
Split: In 2010, after two years together.
As well as dating on-screen in The Big Bang Theory, these two were secretly together for two years IRL until 2010. The pair continue to star alongside one another, and after Kaley recently married Ryan Sweeting, Johnny told reporters that he is "very, very happy for her," adding, "She's very happy, which makes me terribly happy." What a sweetheart.
Rex FeaturesJude Law & Sadie Frost
Split: In 2003, after six years of marriage.
While they've had their ups and downs, it's plain sailing for these two now, as they often holiday together with their kids Rafferty, Rudy and Iris.
