Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter have split up

Helena’s spokeswoman told the Associated Press that the actress and the director, who never married, separated amicably earlier this year “and have continued to be friends and co-parent their children”.

She asked for privacy for the couple and their two children.

The pair met while filming Planet Of The Apes in 2001, which Tim directed, and they have since collaborated on films including Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, Alice In Wonderland and Dark Shadows.

They famously live in adjoining mews houses in North London, and have two children, Billy, 11, and Nell, seven.

In the past, Helena, 48, has described the arrangement with Tim, 56, as “nothing more interesting than two houses knocked together”, but in a 2011 interview she revealed that their home featured weird and wonderful items including an oversized chair from the Charlie And The Chocolate Factory set, a baby door and a gypsy caravan.

In 2012 both were given fellowships by the British Film Institute, the highest honour they award.

In an interview at the time, Helena said: “It’s good because there’s no jealousy at home. It’s very handy and very thoughtful for them to give us both one at the same time.”