Nicole Kidman has broken her public silence since the death of her father more than two weeks ago by sharing her heartbreak and thanking well-wishers for their comforting thoughts and prayers.

The actress and her singer husband Keith Urban posted a joint statement on their Facebook pages, saying: "We are all heartbroken, but knowing we are in the hearts and thoughts of others is so comforting."

The Australian star of Grace Of Monaco returned to her home of Sydney after her psychologist father Tony Kidman died suddenly during a vacation in Singapore.

The 75-year-old was in Singapore to visit his other daughter, Antonia, and her family.

Authorities did not reveal the cause of his death.