Amid the news of divorce between Hugh Jackman and his wife of almost 30 years Deborra-lee Furness, their loving friends have begun to speak out.
One such person is Aussie TV and radio personality Gus Worland, who has been friends with “Jacko”, 56, since kindergarten, as well as Furness, 69.
Worland says witnessing the breakdown of their marriage over the years has been “difficult”.
Watch the video above
READ MORE: Princess Charlene’s near run-in with husband’s ex
“No one wants anyone to go through they’ve been through, and of course, they go through everything publicly because of the type of people [they are] and the fame they have,” he told Ben Fordham on 2GB radio.
“One thing I have been really strict on, I suppose, not just for me but a whole lot of mates who love them both, is to let [them] do what they’ve had to do. No one wants it.
“I was over in New York with Jacko just last month and he’s fine. He’s going along well. He’s moving on with his life, and I hope that Deb does as well.
“They were with each other for over 30 years, it’s a long, long time they were together, and they’ve got two beautiful kids together.”
READ MORE: The surprisingly cheap skincare an expert recommends for winter
Jackman and Furness share son Oscar, 23 and daughter Ava, 19. Worland is the godfather to their oldest child, Oscar, while Jackman is the godfather to Worland’s oldest child.
Throughout the split, Worland’s primary concern has been for the children.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
“I just go to the kids and go, ‘What we can do to make sure that they get through this as best as possible?'” he said.
The comments follow a bombshell statement from Furness, who indicated she was “betrayed” in her marriage to Jackman.
In a statement shared with Nine, the actress said: “My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal.
“It’s a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us.
“It is so easy to get lost in looking for love and validation outside ourselves, but that’s not where it lives — it lives within.
READ MORE: Hidden meaning behind Meghan’s $1k outfit detail
“Sometimes the universe has to create arduous circumstances for us to walk through in order to find our way home, back to our true essence and the sovereignty of self love.”
She went on to say she has found “liberation and freedom” post-split and is “grateful” for her life path.
“We are drawn to people, we invite them in, in order to learn our lessons and to recognise and heal the broken parts of ourselves.”
She finished: “I remain grateful.”
READ MORE: Common bulk purchase mistake to watch out for
News of the divorce filing was first reported by the Daily Mail, 20 months after they first announced their split.
Jackman broke his silence with a rather bizarre clip of himself skipping with a rope on stage to NSYNC’s Bye Bye Bye with the caption “Finally”, which has raised eyebrows.
The Australian stars were married for almost 30 years after first tying the knot back in Victoria back in April 1996.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.