X-Man McAvoy ‘is close to co-star’ as marriage ends
X-MEN actor James McAvoy has reportedly become close to one of his glamorous co-stars in the superhero movie franchise.
Yesterday, just hours after he announced his split from actress wife Anne-Marie Duff, it was reported that 37-year-old McAvoy has developed a close friendship with co-star Alexandra Shipp, 24.
McAvoy and American Miss Shipp, who appear together in X Men: Apocalypse, were seen cosying up together at the aftershow party of the film’s premiere in London last week.
One source said: “It’s no great secret how they’ve got close. James has been quite open among the cast and crew that his marriage was over – and it seems he has struck up a friendship with Alex since then. It’s been the source of some gossip among those connected to the film – but they’ve kept things low-key.”
McAvoy and Miss Shipp are said to have grown close over the last few months while filming and promoting the movie around the world. In the latest film in the X-Men franchise, she takes on the role of Storm, which was previously played by Halle Berry.
But despite having announced his impending divorce, McAvoy continues to live with his estranged wife – with whom he has a son, Brendan – at their London home.
The source added: “Things are pretty amicable, but there is no doubt he is now single.”
It was on Saturday that McAvoy and his 45-year-old wife, who met on the set of the hit television comedy Shameless over a decade ago – where they played on-screen lovebirds Steve McBride and Fiona Gallagher – issued a joint statement.
It read: “It is with tremendous sadness that we have come to the decision to divorce.
“We enter this next phase with continued friendship, love and respect for one another and the shared focus of caring for our son. We ask that you respect our and, most importantly, our child’s privacy during this time.”
After they wed in 2006, the Scottish actor told US television host Ryan Seacrest that Ms Duff had made him complete, making him feel “like myself a little bit more”.