Shameless star Steve Howey's wife of 11 years files for divorce

Shameless star Steve Howey and his wife Sarah Shahi have decided to go their separate ways after 11 years of marriage.

In legal documents filed on May 4 which were obtained by Us Weekly, the 40-year-old actress reportedly cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for their split. The date of the separation was listed as April 14.

The former couple issued a joint statement to the publication, confirming that they "have decided to end their marriage."

"We are so grateful for the past 10 years together and proud of our children that we've raised," they said. "As we enter into this new phase of our lives, our priority will remain co-parenting our children with so much love, mutual respect and friendship. And though our relationship is changing, we are committed to continuing our lives as a loving family."

The two met in 2004 when Shahi made a cameo on the sitcom Reba, a show that Howey, 42, starred in prior to his role as Kevin Ball on Shameless, which he has played since 2011.

In 2007, the pair got engaged in Hawaii. They tied the knot two years later in February 2009, in Las Vegas.

The former couple share three children — William, 10, and five-year-old twins Knox and Violet.

Four years ago, Howey opened up to People about the challenges of juggling three kids, calling it "overwhelming" after welcoming twins.

"It is not easy, but all three are beautiful babies," Howey told the magazine at the time. "We're a very close-knit family, just bigger."

Yet despite having their hands full with three young children, the TV star said that it didn't stop them from ducking out for a quick drink here and there before returning to parental duties.

"Or we'll run to the kitchen and do a tequila shot really fast — just do something together," he said. "Then it's right back into the playroom or changing a diaper."