Actors Daniel MacPherson and Zoe Ventoura have announced their separation

Dan MacPherson and Zoe Ventoura have separated after five years of marriage.

Zoe Ventoura and Daniel MacPherson on their wedding day.

Actors Daniel MacPherson and Zoe Ventoura have separated after five years of marriage.

The private couple both released a statement on Instagram to announce the shock news.

“With the greatest respect for each other, Zoe and I have separated,’’ MacPherson posted.

“Together, we will continue wholeheartedly to raise our beautiful boy Austin. He is, and will forever be, our greatest priority.

“We ask for your respect and will be making no further comment.”

The couple has always remained private. Picture: Bella Marie Adams

The celebrity couple, who have been based between Sydney and LA, have always remained private.

They wed in secret surrounded by family and friends in Noosa in December 2015.

Former Home And Away star Ventoura and Strike Back star MacPherson welcomed their first child in December last year but only shared the news in March.

They chose to enjoy the first few months with their son privately before confirming they had started a family.

Both celebrated his first birthday earlier this month.

Ventoura met MacPherson when the two were cast alongside each other on the Channel 7 series Wild Boys.

Zoe Ventoura with her son Austin Xavier on Instagram Picture: Supplied

The couple was married for five years. Picture: Belinda Rolland

MacPherson, who has been based in Ireland for filming, recently opened up about fatherhood in a podcast with Samantha Gash.

The 40-year-old former Neighbours actor said: “Time has been a really blessing to just press stop and be completely present where I am, to enjoy being around not only my own family, but my father and my sister and just be back in Australia and not be looking when the next flight is to the next job to the next place.

“This time, this pause, finishing three series as a lead in my big American show, Strike Back, turning 40, discovering fatherhood and stepping into fatherhood for the first time ... it’s kind of a big life shift happening for me right now.”