Last year, the world was shocked after one of Hollywood's most long-lasting couples, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas, announced last summer that they'd be getting a divorce following almost two decades together; now, for the first time since, Banderas has spoken out about his split from the "Working Girl" actress.

Considered one of Hollywood's most successful odd couples, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas had been thought to be able to stand the test of time, since they got married in 1996 in a low-key ceremony, in an affair so passionate that the actress actually tattooed his name on her right shoulder, and after their divorce was announced, she started the process of getting it removed.

According to The Daily Mail, recently the Spanish heartthrob spoke out for the first time about the Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas split in an interview show in Spain. As he guest starred in the TV show "El Hormiguero," where actors from all over the world often make an appearance as they visit Madrid, the actor spoke about his relationship for the first time.

"I really admire Melanie as an actress, I have always said that," Banderas said,, as he spoke of his latest movie, "Automate," which he also produced and sees him co-starring with his estranged wife, according to Yahoo! News. "I have a big respect for her in her career, for that reason she is in the film. She is a person that I loved, I love and I always will love, whatever our status is."

Hello! Magazine reports that, ever since the Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas divorce was first announced over the past June, the former couple has kept quiet about their split, as they've stated they're separating in a friendly matter, although citing "irreconcilable differences" in the court papers.

Following the Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas divorce, the Spanish actor who became a household name for starring in early Pedro Almodóvar films has been dating Nicole Kimpel.