Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes to divorce

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are getting a divorce, her lawyer has told a US magazine.

The couple, who were married in a lavish ceremony in Italy in 2006, have a six-year-old daughter, Suri.

Jonathan Wolfe, lawyer for former Dawson’s Creek star Holmes, told People magazine: “This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family.

“Katie’s primary concern remains, as it always has been, her daughter’s best interest.”

Later, 49-year-old Cruise’s spokesperson said in a statement: “Kate has filed for divorce and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children. Please allow them their privacy.”

It will be Cruise’s third divorce – he has previously been married to Mimi Rogers and Nicole Kidman, with whom he has two children.

The Hollywood star is currently appearing in the film musical Rock Of Ages. He was recently in London at the film’s premiere without his 33-year-old wife.

In the past, she has often joined him on the red carpet. In 2005, the pair arrived at the LA premiere of the War Of The Worlds together on a motorcycle.

Cruise also raised more than a few eyebrows when he jumped on a sofa while being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, declaring his love for Holmes in the early days of their relationship.

The couple’s whirlwind romance and marriage was closely followed by the tabloids and celebrity magazines, who reported on everything from Holmes’ conversion to Scientology to Suri’s clothing.

Celebrity news website TMZ claimed the couple have a prenuptial agreement and put their net worth around $275m (£175m).