Aerosmith's Steven Tyler has announced that he and his wife, Teresa, are separating.

In a statement released through the band's publicist, Tyler asked the public to respect the couple's privacy, saying: "Before the tabloid media makes more of this than it is, I am announcing that my wife Teresa and I are currently separated."

Steven and Teresa have been together for 17 years and have two children, Chelsea (16) and Taj (13).

Tyler recently became a grandfather after his daughter from a previous relationship, Liv, gave birth.