Madame Tussauds waxworks museum in London moved its models of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie a "respectful distance" apart on Wednesday following Jolie's lawyer's announcement that she had filed for a divorce from Pitt.

"Following the news that has shocked celebrity watchers worldwide, we can confirm we have separated Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's figures," the museum said on Twitter.

It posted a photograph of the two waxworks, now standing either side of another figure, apparently British actor Robert Pattinson.

The waxwork Pitt and Jolie had stood together in the museum since they were unveiled to mark Pitt's 50th birthday in 2013.