Brad Pitt's dire warning to Jennifer Aniston before leaving her for Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston [Photo: Courtesy]

When Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt announced their separation in January 2005, both refuted claims that his head had been turned by Angelina Jolie. "For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media," they said in a statement, referencing rumours that Brad had grown close to his Mr and Mrs Smith co-star.

Said to have been struggling for a year, according to friends, the real reason for the separation was that Brad and Jen's busy work schedules had made it almost impossible to 'maintain intimacy'. The problem, it was said, was the constant pressure to be the perfect couple when, in truth, they were just an average husband and wife experiencing ups and downs. An insider told People magazine: "They gradually lost sight of themselves as individuals. And despite their nice lifestyle and having everything they might want, they weren’t happy. They lost a sense of self.”