'Cheat' Phillippe

Film

13:30 01 November 2006

Reese Witherspoon split from husband Ryan Phillippe because he cheated on her, it has been alleged.

Confidantes close to the couple claim that Ryan's alleged affair with 24-year-old Australian actress Abbie Cornish was the reason for the split. They say that when Reese confronted Ryan he was forced to admit it.

A source told Us Weekly magazine: "Ryan admitted it was true and said, 'We need to just end this.' Reese literally had no choice."

Ryan, 32, met Abbie on the set of 'Stop Loss' where it was said the couple were extremely open about the relationship that developed between them during filming.

The source said: "Ryan did not go out of his way to hide the fact that he was having a fling with his co-star. Besides the fact they were spotted making out in a sushi restaurant, she was spotted many times leaving his loft apartment."

A spokesman for Reese announced the couple's mutually agreed separation on Monday (30.10.06).

The 30-year-old accompanied Ryan to the premiere of his new film 'Flags of Our Fathers' in New York two weeks ago where they were seen "fighting bitterly" at the after party.

It has also been reported that Reese found incriminating emails on her husband's BlackBerry handheld computer that same night.

A representative for Abbie has denied allegations of any affair while representatives for both Reese and Ryan refused to comment.

Reese has allegedly contacted celebrity divorce lawyer Robert Kaufman, who has represented Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Marie Presley.

The 'Walk The Line' actress met Ryan at her 21st birthday party and they have two children together, seven-year-old daughter Ava and three-year-old son Deacon.

Reese achieved box office success in the 'Legally Blonde' films before winning her Oscar this year in the Johnny Cash biopic 'Walk The Line'.

(C) BANG Media International