Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter’s Marriage: Couple Calls It Quits After 13 Years; Relationship Strained By Alleged Affair, Carter’s Friend Claims ‘Tim Is Having A Classic Mid-Life Crisis’

Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter's marriage of 13 years is over. The couple has called it quits, with signs of trouble seen as early as last year.

Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter's marriage was strained last year when the director was sighted hugging an unidentified blonde near his Hamstead home; the woman was thought to be one of Burton's assistants. Tim and Helena refused to comment about the controversy at the time, but now it's official their relationship has unraveled.

The couple attended a recent Chequers party, where Helena seemed at her breaking point. She left the party without Tim, a sign that things turned sour.

Friends commented about the situation: "Helena was very upset at the Chequers party earlier this month, hosted by Samantha Cameron. Other guests noticed she was in a bad way. She is really upset. It's all still very raw and they only told the children two weeks ago."

"Tim is having a classic mid-life crisis. All Helena's friends think he's a terrible old cliche. Helena gave him a lot of time to sort himself out."

Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter's marriage comes with unconventional living arrangements. They live in different houses, but they're practically next-door neighbors.

Helena said "the houses are joined." "He always visits, which is really touching. He's always coming over. We have a throughway. Journalists think there's an underground tunnel, gothic. It's actually quite above ground, lots of light."

The couple collaborated on seven films, and is considered one of the unconventional pairings in Hollywood. They first met on 2001's "Planet of the Apes," directed by Burton.

Carter went on to star in darker roles, in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Sweeney Todd," "Dark Shadows," and "Alice in Wonderland."

The actress said she's now identified with darker roles so much that she has to live up to the reputation.

"I have a responsibility now to dress badly - so it's kind of liberating." (dailymail.co.uk)