Brad Pitt is reportedly in tears ever since Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from the actor on 19 September, citing irreconcilable differences. The former couple had tied the knot in August 2014 after meeting on the sets of their 2005 film Mr & Mrs Smith.

"He [Pitt] is beside himself and has been crying. He was completely caught off guard. Brad is in a mess right now. He isn't able to see the kids and he is desperately trying to make sure they are OK by calling valued members of his and Angelina's staff," a source told Us Weekly.

"He isn't worried about his own reputation right now. His complete and utter devastation has come from what his children are going through," the source added.

Meanwhile, a source also told HollywoodLife that the 52-year-old actor is "devastated" since the divorce news as his six children are "his life".

"Thinking about losing them cripples him," HollywoodLife quoted a source as saying. "Brad can't help but break down into tears thinking about it. He's been crying a lot, probably more than he ever has. It's heartbreaking to see this good man be brought down like this. But no matter how bad he's hurting, Brad won't let himself fall to pieces. He will dust himself off and be strong not because he wants to, but because he has to for the kids. Protecting them is all that he cares about."

According to reports, the Allied star has not seen his children as the 41-year-old actress has kept them with her. Although the actor wants to see his children, he thinks it is best to first clear his name in the child abuse allegations that were levelled against him after he was apparently recorded "yelling" at his family in their private jet, during a trip from France to Los Angeles on 14 September.

The BBC cited the FBI – on the child abuse allegations – as saying: "In response to your inquiry regarding allegations within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States; specifically, an aircraft carrying Mr Brad Pitt and his children, the FBI is continuing to gather facts and will evaluate whether an investigation at the federal level will be pursued."

The former couple share six children between them including Maddox, 14, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, nine-year-old Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 8.

Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt and Angelina Joile share six children: Maddox, 14, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, nine-year-old Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 8  Getty