Madonna & Guy Ritchie will announce split later this year, says source

Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are reportedly moving even closer to splitting up and are said to have openly discussing divorce.

The couple are rumoured to have been having marital difficulties for the last two years but the adoption of son David in late 2006 temporarily brought them back together again, even though Guy is said to have initially objected to the idea. However, now relations between the pair are said to be strained again and Madonna is said to be planning to take the couple’s children - daughter Lourdes and son Rocco as well as David - to New York for an extended summer holiday while she prepares for her forthcoming Sticky & Sweet Tour.

A source told the Mirror: “Although the marriage is coming to an end, they don’t want to say anything until the tour is over.

“They live like brother and sister rather than husband and wife and thought it best to call it a day. There’s been a lot of speculation about them having furious rows all the time, none more so than because of the children.

“But they have just grown apart. They’ve decided they’re better off as friends. It’s sad, but they’re determined to keep it amicable.

“They’re obviously sad but they’re dealing with it like grown ups.”

The source added that neither party is particularly to blame and no one else is involved: “While they’ll be the first to admit they have a somewhat fiery relationship, above all there’s a deep respect for each other. Things have just run their natural course.”