Madonna and Guy Ritchie to divorce (1st Lead)

Oct 15, 2008, 15:21 GMT

A file picture dated 01 September 2008 shows British director Guy Ritchie and his wife, US singer Madonna arriving at the World Premiere of his new film \'RocknRolla\' at the Odeon West End in London, Britain. Madonna and Guy Ritchie are to divorce, according to media reports 15 October 2008. EPA/DANIEL DEME

London - US pop icon Madonna and her British filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie are to divorce after nearly eight years of marriage, a statement issued Wednesday said.

Madonna spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said in New York that the couple had agreed to separate. The statement, co-signed by a representative of Ritchie, said the couple had not agreed a settlement.

'Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven-and-a- half years of marriage, their representatives confirmed today.

'They have both requested that the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time.'

On Wednesday, Britain's Sun newspaper reported that a divorce of the celebrity couple was 'imminent.'

Both sides wanted the divorce to be finalized by Christmas.

'Despite huge attempts to patch things up they both know deep down that divorce was on the cards. It wasn't a matter of 'if' but 'when',' said the Sun.

The final straw had come before Madonna started her US tour. 'They had a screaming match and Guy told her she had become a dead weight around his neck, dragging him down all the time,' the Sun reported friends of the couple as saying.

The couple have one son, Rocco, 7, and David Banda, adopted from Malawi, aged 3. Lourdes, the singer's daughter from an earlier relationship, turned 12 this week.