Fiennes splits with partner of 11 years

Ralph Fiennes and Francesca Annis. Picture / Reuters

Ralph Fiennes and partner Francesca Annis are to separate after 11 years. The split comes after reports that Fiennes, 43, had an affair with a young singer.

61-year-old Annis has also begun legal proceedings against the Daily Mail for defamation and invasion of privacy over a story which claimed she had forgiven him over the alleged affair.

The pair first met when Fiennes, was playing Hamlet and Annis, was playing his mother Gertrude on the London stage.

"Ms Annis confirms that she and Ralph Fiennes are to separate," her lawyers said in a statement, without elaborating.

Annis, an acclaimed stage actress, has in the past said she never agonized over the age gap between her and Fiennes, who garnered Oscar nominations for his roles in "Schindler's List" and "The English Patient."