Ruth Jones' private life in London following surprise 'separation' from husband David Peet

Ruth Jones thrilled audiences with shows like Gavin & Stacey and Stella, but despite her public profile, she kept much of her personal life out of the spotlight. However, on Wednesday, the star revealed that she and her husband, David Peet, had separated following 25 years of marriage.

A statement sent to PA read: "We amicably went our separate ways 18 months ago and are now legally separated. We remain good friends. Since our separation, Ruth is living in London and David is living in Canada, where he is in a new relationship."

Here's all you need to know about Ruth's family life...

Ex-husband David Peet

Ruth first met David back in the early nineties, while working with her future Gavin and Stacey co-star, Rob Brydon, for a BBC Wales series. David was working as a TV and radio producer at the time.

Ruth joked to The Scotsman of the pair's first meeting: "It was love at first voice because I spoke to [him] on the phone before I met him."

© Alan Davidson/Shutterstock

Although David was married with three children, the marriage ended up breaking down before David and Ruth embarked on their own relationship. David and Ruth tied the knot in 1999.

Reflecting on their love in a 2008 interview with the Independent, Ruth said: "He has a very sharp mind combined with a dry Yorkshire wit, making him a naturally funny man."

© Getty Images for BAFTA

David is now living in Canada with a new partner, but nothing is known about his new love.

Stepchildren

Ruth mostly keeps her private life to herself, but she has opened up about becoming a stepmum to David's three children, Louise, Alex and Fiona, from his previous marriage in the past.

On the subject of not having children of her own, she told the Daily Mail: "It just didn't happen. It wasn't a decision. I don't have a burning desire to have babies. I think it's heartbreaking if you do and you find out you can't have them. I love being a stepmum — all the joy of motherhood without the pain of childbirth."

© Karwai Tang

In addition to opening up about the "joys of parenthood without giving birth", Ruth spoke candidly to The Scotsman newspaper about becoming a stepmum. The actress said: "You take things as they come. There wasn't a moment when I thought, 'I've become a stepmum now.

"We never had any difficulty with teenage angst, and now I'm looking forward to becoming a step-grandmother at some point."