George Clooney responds to news of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie divorce after being told on camera

'I feel very sorry to hear that,' actor says

While it may be assumed those in Hollywood's inner circle are the first to be told about news before the media and public, George Clooney learned of the divorce of his friends Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie along with the rest of the world - in the news.

Jolie and Pitt announced their divorce after two years of marriage and an eleven-year relationship on Tuesday. In a statement, the Tomb Raider actresses’ lawyer said: “This decision was made for the health of the family. She will not be commenting and asks that the family be given its privacy at this time.” Pitt responded a few hours later, saying he was very “saddened” by the divorce and that the wellbeing of their six children is paramount.

The internet soon became abuzz with the news of the end of one of Hollywood’s most celebrated, fascinating and long-standing power couples. People began questioning the existence of true love, speculating over the cause of the split and tirelessly sharing Jennifer Aniston memes as it appeared the long-running pitting of her as Pitt's ex-wife against Jolie, frustratingly, shows no sign of slowing down.

Clooney was dutifully informed on camera by CNN.

“I didn’t know that, wow. I feel very sorry then. That’s a sad story and unfortunate for a family,” the 55-year-old said. “It’s an unfortunate story about a family. I feel very sorry to hear that. That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

Clooney’s day was filled with more pressing matters as he was attending the United Nations meeting on the refugee crisis in New York which included a roundtable with his human rights lawyer wife Amal and President Barack Obama.

Clooney is close friends with Pitt having both starred in the Ocean’s Eleven film and sequels. Along with Don Cheadle and Matt Damon, they also both started the Not On Our Watch charity in 2008 to bring attention to the crisis in Darfur.