Hilary Duff and hubby Mike Comrie separate, ‘remain best friends’

Hilary Duff and husband Mike Comrie have separated.

The former “Lizzie McGuire� star, 26, and the retired NHL center, 33, made the announcement to E! News and People on Friday.

“Hilary Duff and husband Mike Comrie have mutually decided to an amicable separation,� Duff’s rep said. “They remain best friends and will continue to be in each other’s lives. They are dedicated to loving and parenting their amazing son, and ask for privacy at this time.�

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The couple married in August 2010 and welcomed a son, Luca, in March 2012.

Duff’s mother, Susan, told TMZ that they’d already decided on joint custody of their son, adding that, “They’re better friends than a married couple.�

“There was no major incident -- no big event between the two of them,� a source close to the singer-actress told People. “They really did drift apart. They have put effort and thought into this decision for a long time. They tried couples therapy, but in the end, they realized at this time, they work better as friends. And they really are great friends.�

The split wasn’t “a rash decision,� the source added. “It’s something [Hilary] thought through. She really does care about him and he really does care about her.�

And that appears to be the case, given a tweet from the Disney Channel alum Friday.

“Mike and I are sitting here,we are so appreciative for all of your kindness& well wishes,� she tweeted. “Not an easy day but we’re getting thru it together.�

Duff had made a slew of guest appearances on television shows including “Gossip Girl� and “Two and a Half Men.� She’ll next appear in the film “Flock of Dudes� and is rumored to star in the TV movie “Girlfriend in a Coma,� according to IMDb.

Comrie, who played for a half a dozen teams, retired from the NHL in February 2012 following a slew of hip surgeries. In 2002, he won a gold medal for Canada at the world hockey championship.

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