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Madonna and Ritchie confirm split Madonna and Ritchie confirm split
(20 minutes later)
Pop star Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie are to divorce after nearly eight years of marriage, their PR representatives have confirmed.Pop star Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie are to divorce after nearly eight years of marriage, their PR representatives have confirmed.
The pair had not agreed to a settlement and asked the media to respect their privacy, the announcement added. Relations were still cordial and they expected to agree a settlement without going to court, added Madonna's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg.
It followed several months of speculation that the couple's relationship was in trouble. The statement followed several months of speculation that the couple's relationship was in trouble.
In July, Madonna's publicist denied the pair were planning to divorce, saying their marriage did not "need saving". In July, the singer's publicist said the marriage did not "need saving".
The pair appeared together at last month's premiere of Ritchie's RocknRolla in London, walking arm-in-arm and posing for photographs in London's Leicester Square.The pair appeared together at last month's premiere of Ritchie's RocknRolla in London, walking arm-in-arm and posing for photographs in London's Leicester Square.
Boston gigBoston gig
Ritchie, 40, had rebutted suggestions his marriage was over with a public show of support at Madonna's 50th birthday party in August and also told a US magazine in July the marriage was "fine".Ritchie, 40, had rebutted suggestions his marriage was over with a public show of support at Madonna's 50th birthday party in August and also told a US magazine in July the marriage was "fine".
The couple, married in 2000, have two sons together The couple have two sons - Rocco (pictured in 2000) and David BandaThe statement issued on Wednesday read: "Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven and a half years of marriage, their representatives confirmed today.
The statement issued on Wednesday read: "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."They have both requested that the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time.
"A final settlement has not been agreed upon yet.""A final settlement has not been agreed upon yet."
Madonna is due to play a concert in Boston later as part of her Sticky and Sweet tour.Madonna is due to play a concert in Boston later as part of her Sticky and Sweet tour.
She and Ritchie married in December 2000 at Skibo Castle in the Scottish Highlands and have two sons together - seven-year-old Rocco and David Banda, whose adoption from Malawi was approved in May. She and Ritchie married in December 2000 at Skibo Castle in the Scottish Highlands and have two sons - seven-year-old Rocco and David Banda, whose adoption from Malawi was approved in May.
The singer also has a 12-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from an earlier relationship.The singer also has a 12-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from an earlier relationship.