(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Courteney Cox and David Arquette have confirmed they are in the middle of a trial separation.

The Hollywood couple met in 1996 when they made the horror movie Scream together and married three years later. They have a six-year-old daughter called Coco.

There had been rumours the couples relationship was on the rocks recently, and after In Touch Weekly reported they had parted ways, David and Courteney yesterday released a statement to confirm they have been undergoing a trial split for some time, but are still very much in love and will always put their daughter first.

"The reason for this separation is to better understand ourselves and the qualities we need in a partner and for our marriage," the couple explained in a written statement.

"We remain best friends and responsible parents to our daughter and we still love each other deeply. As we go through this process we are determined to use kindness and understanding to get through this together.

We are comfortable with the boundaries that we have established for each other during this separation and we hope that our friends, family, fans and the media also show us respect, dignity, understanding and love at this time as well.

According to RadarOnline, David, 39, and Courteney, 46, have already discussed a joint custody deal so that they can share parental rights of Coco.

When the news of the couples separation emerged, Coco was staying with Courteney at her and Davids home near Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.

Hours after the pairs split was announced Courteney was photographed without her wedding ring dressed in black and hiding her face with big sunglasses. (C) Cover Media