Madonna and Ritchie confirm divorce

12:35am Thursday 16th October 2008

Madonna and Guy Ritchie have confirmed they are to divorce.

The pop star's spokeswoman said the couple had agreed to separate.

Liz Rosenberg said in a statement, co-signed by a representative of film director Ritchie, that the couple had not agreed a settlement, the Associated Press reported.

The short joint statement read: "Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven-and-a-half years of marriage, their representatives confirmed ... They have both requested that the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time."

Ms Rosenberg said relations between the couple were still cordial, and they expected to agree a divorce settlement without going through the courts.

Film director Ritchie, 40, married Madonna at a lavish ceremony in Scotland. But rumours have been circulating in the press that their relationship was increasingly under strain.

Just weeks ago, the couple made a very public show of affection in what was seen as a move to end speculation surrounding their marriage. Madonna walked down the red carpet with Ritchie at the world premiere of his latest film in London's Leicester Square.

She made a surprise appearance at the event after the stars of Ritchie's film RocknRolla met fans and the press. Wearing a short black Stella McCartney dress with jewels down the front, the singer walked arm-in-arm with Ritchie and posed for photographs.

Prior to the Leicester Square appearance, Ritchie stamped on suggestions that his marriage was over with a public show of support at his superstar wife's 50th birthday party.

Newspaper reports suggested rows between the couple had escalated in recent months. According to the Sun, Madonna wanted to wait until the end of her Sticky and Sweet global tour before announcing the split. But the date has now been brought forward, with both parties wanting a divorce finalised before Christmas, it claimed.

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