Robin Thicke desperately tried to save his marriage

Los Angeles - Robin Thicke flew to Canada for crisis talks with Paula Patton last week.

The Blurred Lines hitmaker - who announced on Tuesday that he and the actress were separating after almost nine years of marriage - cited throat problems when he axed a planned concert in Atlanta on Friday, but insiders say he jetted off to Vancouver after Paula told him she wanted to end their union.

According to gossip website TMZ, the couple - who have three-year-old son Julian together - had a long conversation in which they acknowledged they hadn't been getting along and had argued a lot.

(Robin Thicke and Paula Patton arrive at the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards. AP)

Robin, 36, then "reluctantly" agreed to end his marriage to the 38-year-old actress, but was described as being "very upset". 

And despite making the decision on Friday, the pair were seen enjoying a day out at Disneyland in California with their son on Sunday.

The couple said in a statement announcing their split they will always "be best friends," but "mutually decided to separate at this time" and insiders weren't surprised by the news.

A source said: "It has been a long time coming. It is not a shock to Robin or Paula, and it is something they have discussed for a long time."

Another insider said: "Their marriage was unravelling for a long time."