Hawking divorce confirmed

Solicitors acting for physicist Stephen Hawking have lodged divorce papers in court, confirming reports the scientist has split from his wife-of-11-years Elaine.

The A Brief History Of Time professor has refused to comment on proceedings at Cambridge County Court in England, despite speculation the flame-haired 55-year-old - his former carer - abused him.

Elaine is Hawking's second wife. He divorced his first spouse Jane, who he has three children with, in 1995.

Elaine's ex-husband David Mason designed Hawking's famous voice synthesiser.