Madonna has confirmed she and husband Guy Ritchie are to divorce.
Reports surfaced yesterday that the couple were heading for a legal separation and now the 50-year-old singer's US spokesperson Liz Rosenberg has validated the rumours.
In a statement, Rosenberg said: "Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after 7 l/2 years of marriage. They have both requested the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time. A final settlement has not been agreed upon yet."
It is believed the couple had been arguing over their careers and theupbringing of their children.
A source said: "It's very sad. They were a great couple and brilliant parents. They just couldn't live together any more.
Out of control
"Despite huge attempts to patch things up they both knew deep down that divorce was on the cards. It wasn't a matter of 'if' but 'when'. They tried hard over the last few months but their arguments were getting out of control."
