Brad Pitt made a confession to Jennifer Aniston about Angelina Jolie before their divorce

They tied the knot in July 2000, with Pitt even making appearance on hit NBC sitcom Friends as an old high school peer that hated Rachel Greene, Aniston’s beloved character.

You may remember his cameo and the character’s obsession with yams.

Pitt was with Aniston for seven years prior to their separation. (Toni Anne Barson Archive/WireImage)

But in January 2005, the pair announced that they were separating after four and a half years of marriage, ending one of Hollywood’s rare fairytales.

The pair announced that they were divorcing in a joint public statement, appearing amicable at first, with little to no drama.

It read: “We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate,

“For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media,

“This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration. We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another,” it concluded.

Not long after this though, stories emerged that Pitt had left the Marley & Me star for Lara Croft herself – Angelina Jolie.

Pitt and Jolie starred opposite each other in action-comedy Mr & Mrs Smith, which came out the summer after their divorce.

They later publicly confirmed their relationship, having six kids together before eventually getting married in 2014, and divorcing just two years later.

A lot of people painted Aniston out to be the victim of the whole situation, pitting her against Jolie and constantly comparing the two.

When these stories came up, the former avoided speaking about it at all, but it was later revealed by her close friend and Friends co-star, Courteney Cox, that Aniston was aware of what was happening between her then-husband and Jolie.

Cox explained in an interview with Vanity Fair: “I don’t think he started an affair physically, but I think he was attracted to her,

“There was a connection, and he was honest about that with Jen. Most of the time, when people are attracted to other people, they don’t tell,

“At least he was honest about it. It was an attraction that he fought for a period of time,” she revealed.

It is said that Aniston was going through a tough time following the final season of Friends wrapping up in 2004, as insiders said that Pitt, who was off filming Mr & Mrs Smith, wasn’t there to support her.

The couple were together for over 10 years. (Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty)

At the time, a source told People magazine: “They gradually lost sight of themselves as individuals,

“And despite their nice lifestyle and having everything they might want, they weren’t happy. They lost a sense of self.”

However, ten years after their divorce in 2005, Aniston addressed the ‘rivalry’ that was made up by the press between her and Jolie, and spoke candidly about it in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

“I think it’s time people stop with that petty B.S. and just start celebrating great work and stop with the petty kind of silliness,” the actress stated.

“I think that’s slowly coming to an end. I really do. It’s just tiresome and old. It’s like an old leather shoe. Let’s buy a new pair of shiny shoes.”