Couple will 'remain friends'

Just two weeks after a tropical wedding for a marriage that was never legalized, Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds have called it quits.

The couple had tied the knot on a private island off Bora Bora on New Year's Day.

"After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forego having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further," says the couple in a statement. "While the recent symbolic union in Bora Bora was representative of our deep love, friendship and respect that we have for one another on a spiritual level, we have decided to remain friends."

A source tells People that trouble started just after the groom said, "I do," and that Murphy started yelling at his bride in front of the wedding guests.

The wedding was purely ceremonial and not legal since it took place in a foreign country. The planned follow-up wedding in the U.S. has been called off.

Edmonds' divorce from singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds was finalized in June, while Murphy's own divorce from Nicole Mitchell Murphy was done last April. Although the actor then began seeing former Spice Girl Melanie Brown shortly afterwards and even fathered a child, Angel Iris, with her, he began dating Edmonds before the pregnancy became known. They became engaged last July.

Murphy, 46, received an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in "Dreamgirls." His other recent credits include the "Shrek" films, "Doctor Dolittle 2," "The Haunted Mansion" and "Norbit."