Russell Crowe: What does separation mean?

Russell Crowe has described himself as "technically" still married.

The Gladiator actor separated from his wife Danielle Spencer after nine years of marriage in 2012. However the couple have remained good friends and don't seem any closer to filing for divorce. But it seems that the 51-year-old could be happy about this.

"Technically we’re married. We are separated and discussing what that means," he told news.com.au.

The pair began an on-off relationship in 1989 and co-starred together in the 1990 film The Crossing. They finally tied the knot in April 2003 and had two children together, Charles, 11 and eight-year-old Tennyson. Both stars have stayed amicable for the sake of their sons and it seems Danielle is hopeful that their post-marriage relationship can emulate that of her own divorced parents.

"It’s been a great example for me, that is exactly what I would aspire to achieving myself," the 45-year-old recently told British newspaper the Daily Telegraph. "If my mother’s away, my father and step-dad will get together and watch the footie or something - they’re really great friends."

However it appears Russell could be hoping for a reconciliation. He recently told British newspaper The Sunday Times that his estranged spouse still has his heart.

"I've loved Danielle Spencer since 1989 - that's never going to change - and that's one of those things where I stare at her and go, ‘How did this fail'’” he revealed. "I still can't work it out, because my feelings for her have never changed. Once I commit to something, I stick with it, so you never know..."