Madonna and Guy Ritchie are set to divorce.

The couple are set to imminently announce they are separating, and reportedly want their divorce to be finalised by Christmas - which would be their eighth wedding anniversary.

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "It's very sad. They were a great couple and brilliant parents. They just couldn't live together any more.

Comment on this Article

"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."

US singer Madonna, 50, and British film director Guy, 40, are believed to have been clashing about their respective careers and Madonna's desire to adopt a second child, a move Guy is opposed to.

While the '4 Minutes' singer was keen to wait until next year to announce the split - after her current 'Sticky and Sweet' tour has finished - Guy is said to have demanded the split be made public now.

The source continued: "The final straw came before Madonna started her US tour. She wanted a highly stage-managed separation, with their split being announced when it was convenient for her.