Madonna and Guy Ritchie to split

But couple plan to wait until end of singer's world tour to announce break-up

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

Madonna and Guy Ritchie are set to announce they are separating as soon as the singer's tour finishes.

Madge, 49, kicks off her Sticky and Sweet tour in Cardiff on 23 August. But after the final dates in Mexico in November, the couple are expected to issue a statement about the end of their 7-year marriage.

‘They're obviously sad but they're dealing with it like grown-ups,’ a pal reveals.

'Things have run their natural course. [But] although the marriage is coming to an end, they don't want to say anything until the tour is over.’

The couple have 3 children – son Rocco, 7, adopted son David Banda, 2, and daughter Lourdes, 11, from Madonna’s relationship with dancer Carlos Leon.

‘They live like brother and sister rather than husband and wife and thought it best to call it a day,’ the pal tells the Daily Mirror.

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

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