Toni Collette set to divorce husband of 20 years following kissing scandal

Toni Collette has announced that she and her husband of nearly 20 years will be getting a divorce, following their 'substantial period' of separation. 

Toni Collette, best known for her roles in The Sixth Sense, About a Boy, Little Miss Sunshine, and Netflix's Pieces of Her has just announced that she is divorcing her husband, and father of her two children. Toni married musician David Galafassi in 2003, and the pair have just announced their upcoming divorce in a shared post on Instagram.

"After a substantial period of separation, it is with grace and gratitude that we announce we are divorcing. We’re united in our decision and part with continuing respect and care for each other. Our kids are of paramount importance to us and we will continue to thrive as a family, albeit a different shape. We’re thankful for the space and love you grant us as we evolve and move through this transition peacefully. Big thanks. Toni Collette and David Galafassi," read the statement. 

This announcement comes just hours after Daily Mail Australia acquired images of David kissing another woman on a beach in Sydney. The brand identified the mystery woman that David was spending time with as Shannon Egan, a 41-year-old chiropractor.

While this was considered a cheating scandal, the prompt response from Toni Collette's team and the emphasis on the couple's 'substantial period of separation,' suggests that perhaps these images were taken during the time that Toni and David were separated and open to seeing other people. The photographs were not discussed by the couple, but the pair's joint statement highlighted their united front on the matter.

Toni and Dave first met 20 years ago in Sydney in 2002 at an album launch for David's former band, Gelbison. The pair then met again a few days later at a house party and quickly began their relationship. The couple married fairly quickly in January 2003 in a traditional Buddhist ceremony.

The couple shares two children, a daughter named Sage Florence who was born in 2008 and is currently 14, and a son named Arlo Robert who was born in 2011 and is currently 11. The couple lived in Australia and the US, but the family settled in Sydney in 2019. 

Fans have rushed to support the actress following this announcement and many have criticised the fact that the star even needed to make this declaration about her private life public. 

Just a few days before this announcement, the star decided to return to Instagram and shared a sweet photograph of herself with the caption, 'I’m back. Hello world. I love you 💘.' Celebrity pal, Selma Blair commented back on the post saying, 'The world loves you.'Since this post Toni has been posting relatively frequently. It is unclear if this sudden sad announcement will impact the star's return to social media.