The former `Dawson`s Creek` star split from actress Heather McComb earlier this year and has now started legal proceedings to officially end their six-year marriage.

The papers were filed at a Los Angeles court and James cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for their break-up.

The pair tied the knot in Malibu in 2003, six months after the sixth and final season of `Dawson`s Creek` aired.

James? co-stars Michelle Williams and Busy Phillips attended the intimate ceremony.

Friends suspected a divorce was brewing when the couple sold their $2.5 million home in Studio City, California, in March.

They put the mansion - which features 180-degree canyon, mountain and city views, and a luxurious mist cooling system - on the market.

Since they tied the knot, James - who played Dawson Leery in the US teen drama - has guest starred in `How I Met Your Mother`, `One Tree Hill`, `Ugly Betty` and `Medium`.

Heather has appeared in `Prison Break`, `Crossing Jordan` and `CSI: New York`.
sections: Celebrities