Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds end marriage

Hollywood stars Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds have announced the end of their marriage just two years after they tied the knot in a private ceremony in Vancouver, Canada.

A joint statement released by the 26-year-old actress who starred in He's Just Not That into You and the 34-year-old star of National Lampoon's Van Wilder broke the news to the public.

It said: "After long and careful consideration on both our parts, we've decided to end our marriage. We entered our relationship with love and it is with love and kindness we leave it."

The couple went on to state that "while privacy isn't expected, it is certainly appreciated".

US magazine People claimed that Johansson, who was voted GQ's 2010 Babe of the Year, ended the marriage because she could not handle the stress of being apart so much due to their demanding schedules.

Speaking to the magazine recently, Reynolds, who is its Sexiest Man Alive, said the best thing about marriage is "you get to hang out with your best buddy every day".