Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are to divorce, their PR representatives have confirmed. After nearly eight years of marriage, and countless denials of domestic trouble, the singer and director are calling it a day. Madonna's spokesman, Liz Rosenberg, confirmed the separation in a joint statment issued on behalf of the couple.

Relations between the couple are said to be still cordial, and it's likely they will agree a divorce settlement without airing their dirty laundry in a court room, Madonna's spokesperson Liz Rosenberg said.

The former couple announced their split with a short joint statement that read: "Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven-and-a-half years of marriage.They have both requested that the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time. The main concern for Madonna and Guy are their children - the security of their children in all senses of the word and the wellbeing of their children."

The Splitsville news comes after British tabloid The Sun reported yesterday that a divorce announcement was imminent. The tabloid quoted a "highly placed" source as saying the pair "can't bear to live with the pretence any longer," so decided to end the charade.

Predictably, tongues have already started wagging around the proverbial water cooler as to why the couple split. So far, fingers are pointing directly at both their careers as catalysts, and Madge's alleged fling with A-Rod.