Brad Pitt made confession to Jennifer Aniston about Angelina Jolie before their divorce

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's split was the celebrity break up that rocked the world - but there is more to the story than most people knew.

The two had been Hollywood's golden couple from the moment they tied the knot in July 2000.

However, the fairytale was not to be and the pair announced their separation in January 2005.

ABC

Shortly afterwards, rumors began circulating in the press that Pitt had left Aniston for Angelina Jolie, who was his co-star on Mr and Mrs Smith, which was released that summer.

Pitt and Jolie would later go public with their relationship, before getting married in 2014 and then filed for divorce two years later.

Amid the rumor mill, many saw Aniston as the wronged party and pitted her against Jolie.

But according to Aniston's close friend and Friends co-star, Courteney Cox, she reportedly knew that something had been simmering between her hubby and the Tomb Raider star.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Cox said: "I don’t think he started an affair physically, but I think he was attracted to her.

"There was a connection, and he was honest about that with Jen. Most of the time, when people are attracted to other people, they don’t tell.

"At least he was honest about it. It was an attraction that he fought for a period of time."

Aniston had reportedly been going through a difficult time after Friends finished its ten season run in 2004, and according to insiders, Pitt - who busy filming with Jolie - 'just wasn't there for her'.

An insider told People magazine at the time: "They gradually lost sight of themselves as individuals.

"And despite their nice lifestyle and having everything they might want, they weren’t happy. They lost a sense of self."

20th Century Fox

Aniston and Pitt had originally presented a united front when announcing they were parting ways.

Their statement, released in January 2005, read: "We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate.

"For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media.

"This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration. We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another."

When stories of Pitt and Jolie's relationship emerged, Aniston generally avoided speaking too much on the tabloid drama.

However, in 2015, ten years after her divorce, the actor publicly discussed the 'rivalry' that the press had created between her and Jolie.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Aniston said: "I think it's time people stop with that petty B.S. and just start celebrating great work and stop with the petty kind of silliness.

"I think that’s slowly coming to an end. I really do. It’s just tiresome and old. It’s like an old leather shoe. Let’s buy a new pair of shiny shoes."