Rebel Wilson's bombshell claims against Sacha Baron Cohen 'WERE the catalyst for his break-up: Friends of Isla Fisher say actress decided to announce split to protect her reputation amid embarrassing allegations against her husband'

Rebel Wilson's bombshell claims against Sacha Baron Cohen were 'the catalyst' for his break-up with wife of 14-years Isla Fisher. 

The British actor, 52 and the Australian actress, 48, announced today they had quietly separated last year by sharing a bizarre snap posing in tennis outfits.

It came just days after Rebel Wilson made shock claims about her experience with the 'a**hole' comedian in her new memoir, Rebel Rising, claiming Sacha told her to strip off when filming scenes for the 2016 comedy The Brothers Grimsby.

But now friends of the star couple, who have three children together, have revealed the allegations were the final straw in the decision to make their split public. 

A source told The Sun Isla was 'starting to get embarrassed' about the claims in the book, which acted as 'a catalyst' in her decision to announce their split and allowed her to protect her 'own career and reputation'.

Another source close to the couple added that the 'decision wasn't taken lightly' and there is 'still a lot of love' between Isla and Sacha, who 'remain incredibly close'. 

Sacha has strongly denied ever mistreating Rebel or pressuring her to be naked in the film.

A source told The Sun: 'Rebel's book was a catalyst in Isla deciding to announce this to the world. 

'She's got her own career and reputation to worry about.

'Those close to her said it was starting to get embarrassing with all of the allegations that were spilling out of Rebel's book.

'So she felt as though it was the right thing to do to inform everyone of their decision. 

'Sacha, on the other hand did not want that. He has been making as though it's business as usual before they made this announcement.' 

Another source close to the couple added: 'They have been having difficulties for some time and have battled to make things work.

'They didn't want to throw their love away for the sake of their family. Privately, though, friends were made aware.

'They went to great lengths to keep things 'business as usual' on social media so as to control the narrative in a way they both felt comfortable with.

'This decision wasn't taken lightly and they remain incredibly close. There's still a lot of love there.'

The couple first met back in 2001 and tied the knot in 2010. They are parents to daughters Olive, 17 and Elula, 13, and son Montgomery, nine.

The statement announcing their split read: 'After a long tennis match lasting over 20 years, we are finally putting our racquets down.

'In 2023 we jointly filed to end our marriage. We have always prioritized our privacy and have been quietly working through this change.

'We forever share in our devotion and love for our children We sincerely appreciate your respecting our family's wish for privacy.'

However, insiders close to the couple tonight claimed that Cohen and Fisher had been struggling with their 'shaky' marriage for years. 

Insiders said Cohen had reportedly struggled after making the 'sacrifice' to relocate their family to Australia back in 2020. 

'Their marriage has been shaky for years,' an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'The breakdown started when they relocated to Australia so that she could be closer to her family. But it left Sacha far removed from everyone he knows. 

‘He made this sacrifice for her and would make many sacrifices for her throughout their marriage. He is deeply affected by their split because she was his life for many years.’ 

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for comment.

Rebel played Borat star Sacha's on-screen girlfriend in the 2016 comedy The Brothers Grimsby and made a series of allegations about her uncomfortable experience during shooting.

She alleged that on the set of the Louis Leterrier-directed film, Sacha would ask her to strip off for scenes despite her 'no nudity' rule, in a string of claims which Sacha has strenuously denied and says are contradicted by evidence.

In a memoir passage obtained by People Magazine, she shockingly alleged that Sacha requested she 'stick her finger up his a**' because he thought it would make a funny scene in the film and claimed 'it felt like [he] had sexually harassed me'. 

She alleged that she felt 'completely disrespected, which led to me treating myself with even more disrespect by eating in an extremely unhealthy way'.

Rebel claimed that during filming, Sacha would repeatedly 'mention that he wanted me to go naked in a future scene', which she alleged was in 'no way essential' to the film's plot.

In her book she wrote: 'It felt like every time I'd speak to SBC, he'd mention that he wanted me to go naked in a future scene. I was like, 'Ha, I don't do nudity, Sacha'.'

Rebel claimed she was allegedly summoned by a product assistant for an additional scene while shooting in Cape Town, South Africa. 

She said: 'OK, well, we're gonna film this extra scene,' SBC says. 'Then he pulls his pants down', SBC says very matter-of-factly: 'OK, now I want you to stick your finger up my a**.' And I'm like, 'What?? … No!!'''

Rebel claimed she was shocked and wanted to get out of it, adding: 'I was now scared. I wanted to get out of there, so I finally compromised: I slapped him on the ass and improvised a few lines as the character.'

The Bridesmaids actress also claimed she only agreed to a sex scene with Sacha after several rewrites and recalled allegedly telling the producers that she wouldn't be promoting the film ahead of its release. 

However, newly emerged footage from the sex scene in the 2016 film seems to show that the action was part of the script and the actress was on board with the scene.

Several never-before-seen clips from the movie that failed to make the final cut were obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com and depict Rebel and Sarah's characters using a cellphone to film themselves getting intimate.

In the clips, Rebel can be heard discussing the scene while on camera but out of character, telling Sacha: 'I'll do a slap [of your butt] and I'll do a – going down the crack', to which he replies: 'It's almost as if you're going to ram your fingers inside,' prompting her to answer 'yeah'.

According to those close to Sacha, director Louis Leterrier had to discuss any nudity or sex scenes with Rebel before they were shot. They say she agreed to the scene.

They also say that the cell phone was used because the movie called for Rebel and Sacha's characters Dawn and Nobby to use an iPhone to film themselves having sex.

However, in a statement given to DailyMail.com, Rebel doubled down on her book's description of Sacha as an 'a**hole'.

'It is an a**hole move to release footage of one part of that disgusting episode while leaving out everything that preceded it including my horrified refusal to stick my finger up SBC's butt,' she said.

'This could not have possibly been for the film as the director Louis Leterrier was not even present,' she claimed.

'What this edited video shows is what I had to do in order to get out of the room, as written in Rebel Rising. Releasing unauthorized and misleading behind the scenes video without my approval is SBC's latest way of bullying and gaslighting me.'

Just two months ago Isla discussed her Valentine's plans with Sacha on The Kelly Clarkson show, saying: 'Every year Sacha does give me a card that's like, 'Happy Valentine's from... ' and then there's a massive question mark.

'As if anybody else would send me ... as if I have any other Valentines. I'm a mother of three. I mean, I'm always like, 'Ooooh. So many men'.'

In July 2023, the pair's marriage appeared stronger than ever during a trip to Greece with Isla sharing a snap of herself sharing a passionate kiss with her husband. 

Back in January 2022 Isla revealed it was love at first sight for the pair in a rare interview about their marriage.

'I totally loved him right away. I mean I knew it was definitely love at first sight,' she added. 

Elsewhere in the interview, Isla reflected on the couple having been together for two decades - a rarity in the fickle world of show business.  

'I think by Hollywood standards it's probably 200 years!' she joked. 'I feel like it's a Golden Jubilee or something. Everyone was congratulating me'. 

'It is a fun ride. I feel so lucky to have Sacha in my life. Now we have this beautiful family and we survived lockdown together, which you know, it is not easy for any couple,' Isla added.   

Isla and UK-born Sacha met at a party in Sydney in 2002 and married eight years later.

In 2020, Isla told Marie Claire that meeting Sacha was like 'winning the lottery'.

She said their relationship was built on 'a shared sense of humour and a willingness to be married'. 

The Confessions of a Shopaholic star, who relocated to America early in her career, also admitted that 'juggling' a family in LA wasn't easy.

'There's not really a culture of bringing your kids to dinner parties or to restaurants past 6pm. I tend to entertain at home because I want to be with my family - it's easier to put your kids to bed and have a wine with friends,' she said. 

Isla and Sacha, along with their children, moved to Sydney in 2020, and have since relocated elsewhere in Australia.

In December 2021 they marked their 20th anniversary - with Sacha posting a loving tribute which read: 'Happy Anniversary ❤️ 20 YEARS.

'If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever, Winnie the Pooh.

'Happy Anniversary my love. I'm writing this rather than getting you a card. Our duration is largely due to our location - after all Hollywood is the bastion of lengthy marriages.'

Back in 2016, Isla admitted she slept with her husband while he was dressed as his character Borat.

The actress was a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden and was jokingly asked a raunchy question by actor Ewan McGregor. 

 'Has your husband Sacha ever done a character in bed? And if so, which one?' he cheekily asked her.

The former Home and Away star burst into laughter and admitted they had made love while he was dressed as Borat.

'He's had a handlebar moustache and he's been Borat, or he's had Bruno's blonde hair,' she continued. 

'Sacha's been in characters visually, but I've never heard [Borat's catchphrase] 'woo woo wee woo',' she added.

Cohen achieved global fame in 2006 when he starred in the satirical mockumentary Borat, playing a journalist from Kazakhstan learning about life in America.  

A spokesperson for Sacha said: 'While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence, including contemporaneous documents, film footage and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of The Brothers Grimsby.'

Sacha's team also provided nine anonymous statements from crew members that backed the claim that the scene was in the script.

Inside Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen's shock split: Couple's 20-YEAR marriage crumbled after their move to Australia - as pair now battle it out over 'difficult' pre-nup while actress takes custody of their three kids

by James Vituscka For Dailymail.Com

Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher were struggling with their 'shaky' marriage years before quietly splitting in 2023, with the estranged couple now desperately trying to navigate their difficult prenup and how to sort custody of their three children, insiders have claimed. 

The British comedian, 52 and the Australian actress, 48, announced on Friday that they had filed for divorce, breaking the news on Instagram with simultaneous pictures of them posing in tennis outfits.

Now, insiders have claimed their marriage had been 'shaky' for years, with Cohen reportedly struggling after making the 'sacrifice' to relocate their family to Australia back in 2020.

'Their marriage has been shaky for years,' an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'The breakdown started when they relocated to Australia so that she could be closer to her family. But it left Sacha far removed from everyone he knows.

'He made this sacrifice for her and would make many sacrifices for her throughout their marriage. He is deeply affected by their split because she was his life for many years.'

The couple, who married in 2010, are now working out the 'best arrangement' for their three children, Olive, 17, Elula, 13, and Montgomery, nine – with Fisher currently the one with custody.

'She has custody of the children and they are still working out the best arrangement so that Sacha is able to be an active part of their lives,' the source continued.

'They have much love for each other, but they could not get along and became different people than they were at the beginning of their relationship. They wanted different things in life in terms of their careers.

'They had a prenup but it is still very difficult because everything they owned is purchased for the two of them and their family together.'

The insider insisted that infidelity had not played a part in their marriage breakdown and that neither party is dating someone new.

They finished: 'Cheating was not involved on either side and neither are seeing anyone else.'

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Cohen and Fisher for comment.

The now estranged pair met at a party in Australia in 2002 before getting engaged in 2004. Fisher, who compared meeting the actor to 'winning the lottery' converted to Judaism before they tied the knot in Paris, France, at a Jewish ceremony in March 2010.

Ten years later they moved to Sydney in December 2020 after splitting their time between the US and UK before later relocating to Western Australia.

Fisher opened up about the move in 2021, telling Stella magazine she feels safer in her native Australia.

'I just feel so safe, I suppose the word is cozy, when I'm in Australia. It's where I grew up,' she said.

'I'm the happiest when I'm home. I miss it when I'm not here. I don't feel any pressure when I'm in Australia. I don't have to say or do or be anything. I mean, I don't even have to wear shoes.'

There were also reports at the time that the political situation in the US was behind their relocation.

'They didn't want to raise their kids in Trump's America,' an insider told Sydney Morning Herald in January 2021.

Borat star Cohen has long been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration.

Their split comes just days after Rebel Wilson leveled a string of shocking claims against Cohen in her new memoir Rebel Rising. 

Wilson played his on-screen girlfriend in the 2016 comedy The Brothers Grimsby and made a series of allegations about her uncomfortable experience during shooting.

She alleged that on set he would ask her to strip off for scenes despite her 'no nudity' rule.

He has strenuously denied her claims, which he says are contradicted by evidence.

The British prankster achieved global fame in 2006 when he starred in the satirical mockumentary Borat, playing a journalist from Kazakhstan learning about life in America.  

Fisher's first big role was as Shannon Reed on Australian soap Home and Away from 1994 to 1997. She went on to star in films including Confessions of a Shopaholic and Wedding Crashers.

In January 2022 she gave a rare interview about her marriage to Cohen when asked how they had managed to stay together for two decades.

'I think by Hollywood standards it's probably 200 years!' she joked. 'I feel like it's a Golden Jubilee or something. Everyone was congratulating me.

'It is a fun ride. I feel so lucky to have Sacha in my life. Now we have this beautiful family and we survived lockdown together, which you know, it is not easy for any couple.'

But on Friday they confirmed they had split, telling fans in a statement: 'After a long tennis match lasting over 20 years, we are finally putting our racquets down.

'In 2023 we jointly filed to end our marriage. We have always prioritized our privacy and have been quietly working through this change

'We forever share in our devotion and love for our children We sincerely appreciate your respecting our family's wish for privacy.'