Yorkshire-born star Bean separates from fourth wife

Lawyers for the 51-year-old star, from Sheffield, announced that his marriage to Georgina Sutcliffe had ended.

The couple were married at London's Marylebone Register Office in February 2008.

The pair had originally intended to tie the knot a month earlier but cancelled 24 hours before the big day, citing "personal reasons".

In a statement, Graham Atkins, of Atkins Thomson Solicitors, said: "Sean Bean and Georgina Sutcliffe have separated after two years of marriage.

"Neither intends to comment further. They hope that their privacy will be respected at this difficult time."

Bean's first marriage to his teenage sweetheart, Debra, took place when he was 21. After this relationship ended there were further marriages to Bread actress Melanie Hill and Sharpe co-star Abigail Cruttenden. He also has three daughters from these previous marriages.

The star, who took the title role in the Sharpe TV series, has also appeared in numerous multi-million-pound grossing movies including James Bond film Golden Eye, Patriot Games and the hugely successful Lord of the Rings trilogy. He is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.