Did Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner split up because of his ex-fiancée Jennifer Lopez?

Ben and J.Lo split in 2003 but have stayed close ever since

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner

by Anna Lewis |
Published on

Yesterday we broke the news that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are calling time on their 10-year marriage.

And according to friends, one of the reasons for the break-up was Ben’s continued friendship with his ex-fiancée Jennifer Lopez.

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    A friend said: "Everyone is talking about J.Lo and Ben and saying it's inevitable they will get together again at some point. We call them the Richard Burton and Liz Taylor of Hollywood.

    "They were pretty flirty at the Oscars and have stayed in touch over email. Jennifer Garner never liked it."

    ben-affleck-jennifer-lopez

    Friends went on to reveal that another reason that the actor couple's marriage collapsed was that Ben – who quit drinking after a spell in rehab in 2001 – started drinking again to get into character for his role in Gone Girl.

    This led him to miss his wife’s birthday in April and America's Mother's Day in May.

    Speaking to The Sun, the friend said: "This has been on the cards for some time – it's a miracle Jen hung on so long.

    "She has really tried but recently Ben has been back to his old self. He was drinking again while filming Gone Girl and has been gambling loads too.

    "Jen's fed up with him flying off to Vegas for gambling sessions and going on other solo trips, leaving her holding the family together.

    "Their household is pretty much alcohol free so he would disappear when he wanted to indulge."

    The couple’s official statement said: "After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce.

    "We go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children whose privacy we ask to be respected during this difficult time.”

    14 of the most SHOCKING celeb break-ups EVER!

    Gallery

    14 of the most shocking celebrity couple breakups ever

    Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow1 of 16

    Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow

    Conscious uncoupling be damned, this was sad. Gwyn and Chris were so lovey dovey - meeting at a Coldplay concert and getting married barely a year later.

    Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon2 of 16

    Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

    An unsuspecting breakup - we wonder what Nick Cannon did with that HUGE 'Mariah' tattoo on his shoulder blades?! Shortly after their split, Nick was rumoured to be flinging it off with Kanye West's ex - Amber Rose.

    Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams3 of 16

    Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams

    Hearts broke EVERYWHERE with this one and although Ryan is now with Eva Mendes and they have a child together, we will NEVER get over this split. Soz Eva.

    Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson4 of 16

    Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

    "S––– happens, you know?" Pattinson told British Esquire in its September 2014 issue about Stewart's fling with director Rupert Sanders. "It's just young people … it's normal! And honestly, who gives a s–––?" And as shocking as this was when those pictures of Kristen and Rupert were released - we're with Rob on this one.

    Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston5 of 16

    Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston

    Well this was a blunder of a breakup if ever we saw one and 10 devastating years since our world was turned upside down. And it turns out, 10 years is not long enough to move past Jen and Brad. Even today, when we're feeling down, we flip on that episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S when Brad guest-starred and just try to look for clues. We can't really watch Mr. & Mrs. Smith again - because that's where Brad met Angelina Jolie. One of the reasons for their split.

    Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez6 of 16

    Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez

    This was a particularly emotional breakup for Bieber - who even when someone was mentioned Selena in an interview he would flip out. However Selena said, in an interview in 2013, that she was "well stressed out" from this very public breakup. Poor loves.

    Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore7 of 16

    Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore

    The pair's divorce was finalised in 2013. It was reported it was down to Ashton's infidelity that caused this breakup. Anywho, he's with Mila Kunis now and we love that way better because they had history from appearing on That '70s Show together. We don't even feel sorry for Demi, she's a big girl and he was a sleeze to you anyways, Demi.

    Katy Perry and Russell Brand8 of 16

    Katy Perry and Russell Brand

    They were married for a year, he broke up with her on Twitter and was overall not very nice to her, Katy wrote a song (By The Grace of God) about it all. Team Perry all the way on this one.

    Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake9 of 16

    Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake

    If you're too young to remember this breakup, TRUST US, when we say if we don't find love and incidentally die alone, it is Britney and Justin's fault. Just watch Justin's Cry Me A River music video and you'll understand.

    Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom10 of 16

    Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom

    They broke-up amid speculation of Lamar's drug problem. They're still married. So we don't really know what's going on with these two, but we miss Khloe calling Lamar 'Lam-Lam' and 'Lammy'. *Sobs

    Cheryl Fernandez-Versini (formerly known as Cole) and Ashley Cole11 of 16

    Cheryl Fernandez-Versini (formerly known as Cole) and Ashley Cole

    Footballer Ashley cheated on Chezza - with what was rumoured to be a number of girls - and broke Cheryl's heart. She wrote about him in a book and it sounded DEVASTATING. There were even pictures of Chezza on holiday with her gal pals looking very, very skinny. Look how happy they were in this picture?! - Oh well she's happily married to a hot French man now (and has a MUCH better last name). Shame on you Ashley.

    Chris Brown and Rihanna12 of 16

    Chris Brown and Rihanna

    This was a turbulent and VERY public break up in which Chris beat Rihanna up (police also reported bite marks) after the Grammys in 2009. In court, he admitted to the allegations and was sentenced to time in prison and community service. Chris is in an on/off relationship with Karrueche Tran, currently they're broken up. He also found out he has a love-child with a one-night stand to a woman he is not with. Rihanna has been recently linked to Leonardo DiCaprio.

    Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth13 of 16

    Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth

    We don't really know why they broke up but Liam handled it very maturely. Miley went a bit off the rails posting weird stuff on Instagram. We feel like Miley lost out with this fine specimen.

    Harry Styles and Taylor Swift14 of 16

    Harry Styles and Taylor Swift

    They were literally seen out for like two dates, can hardly be called a relationship, but if this happened for real and lasted we would have been well happy. HOWEVER, Taylor is now with Calvin Harris and we LOVE Talvin. A LOT.

    A couple we're glad broke up...15 of 16

    A couple we're glad broke up...

    Lauren Goodger and Mark Wright. Otherwise Mark and Michelle Keegan would have NEVER happened and we love M & M. Sorry Lauren, you are lovely and we hope you find true love elsewhere.

    AND A COUPLE WE'RE VERY, VERY HAPPY ARE STILL TOGETHER...16 of 16

    AND A COUPLE WE'RE VERY, VERY HAPPY ARE STILL TOGETHER...

    Adam Brody and Leighton Meester

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