FRIENDS actress COURTENEY COX has thrown her husband DAVID ARQUETTE out of their Hollywood, California home - and wants a divorce.

According to Britain's LONDON EVENING STANDARD newspaper, tension between the couple - who wed 18 months ago - has worsened due to his partying and her desire to start a family. Last night (22JAN01) Courteney, 35, refused to take calls at her Hollywood home. Her publicist, CARI ROSS, would not comment on the break-up.

A spokesman for WARNER BROTHERS says, "This is a private matter between David and Courteney." The pair met on the set of the first blockbuster SCREAM movie, teaming up for a further two instalments of the horror flick together. (MCM/WNWCTIS/CPT)

Source: WENN