Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin had couples therapy before separating.

The couple - who are currently holidaying in the Bahamas with children Apple, nine, and Moses, seven - announced yesterday they were splitting, and friends say they brought in outside help to try and repair the cracks in their 11-year marriage.

"They really tried to make the marriage work, but sometimes it's best to not be married. They know that about each other now. They have worked really hard for a year or more, going to therapy, trying to make it work - and she's been more honest than ever about how hard marriage is - but they just decided it was best to not be together anymore as a couple," a source said.

Despite the news, the Iron Man star was seen out publicly with the Coldplay frontman several times earlier this year and they even sang together at a recent charity event in aid of their children's Los Angeles school, performing "Cruisin," her song with Huey Lewis in 2000 movie Duets. "She called the event chair to say she'd like to sing with Chris," a source said.

Insiders insist the pair have always put their children first and present a united front for the sake of their family. "They made an effort to be there for their kids at their activities, and though they had killer schedules they were always around together in L.A. and a united front at parties in their Brentwood neighborhood. They weren't a traditional couple per se, but they were a couple and tried to do anything any family would do, from carpool to a lemonade stand. They are still a family. They will always be a family. Nothing will ever change that," another source said.