The UK's highest profile atheist Richard Dawkins and his actress wife Lalla Ward have confirmed they have separated after 24 years of marriage.

Professor Dawkins, who suffered a minor stroke earlier this year, and the 65-year-old former Dr Who star said their split was 'amicable'.

The pair, who were unable to have children, are understood to be still living at their £3million home in Oxford, where Miss Ward has illustrated some of her husband’s work - and 'remain friends'.

Prof Richard Dawkins, left, and actress wife Lalla Ward, right, have confirmed they are divorcing after 24 years

According to the Sunday Times, they released a joint statement which said: 'Our marriage, like everyone's, is a private matter and we are not prepared to share any details. Suffice to say it is true that we recently separated entirely amicably.

'Obviously, this remains a difficult time, one which we simply will not discuss any further publicly. We would, however, like to stress that we shall always be friends and that we will, of course, continue to work together.'

The former couple met are said to have met at a party in 1992 hosted by mutual friend Douglas Adams, a former Dr Who scriptwriter who went on to pen The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Six months later they married, despite the twice-previously divorced Dawkins claiming he was 'not looking to marry again'.

Oxford academic Prof Dawkins fell ill on February 5, forcing him to cancel a tour of Australia and New Zealand.

He described feeling that the stroke had taken him 'back to childhood' because his 'biggest challenge is buttons', but is believed to have made a full recovery.

The author of The God Delusion was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, where doctors found he had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, affecting movement on the left side of his body.

Prof Dawkins initially found fame in 1976 with his work on evolution, The Selfish Gene.

But he became a household name when Delusion was published in 2006, in which he argued believing in God was delusional because there was no evidence to support his existence.

Prof Dawkins released the second part of his autobiography, Brief Candle in the Dark, last year in which he wrote fondly of their time together and dedicated the book 'For Lalla'.

The couple, pictured, met at a party in 1992 hosted by author Douglas Adams and married six months later

Ward began her acting career in the Hammer Horror series in the early 1970s before playing Time Lady Romana in Dr Who between 1979 and 1981.

She has previously described her husband as 'totally different' at home to the 'outspoken' atheist he comes across as in public, stating 'he doesn't do emotional outbursts, get grumpy or depressed'.

After the couple married, Ward, who was previously married to Dr Who star Tom Baker, effectively ended her acting career, becoming a textile artist.

She has also co-narrated several audio books with her husband and worked on the committee of the Actors' Charitable Trust.

Ward is the daughter of Edward Ward, 7th Viscount Bangor, and his fourth wife, Marjorie Alice Banks.