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Tuesday, 21 October 2008

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Madonna vs Guy Ritchie: The battle begins

Guy wants to stay close to the kids but it won't be easy

The statement Guy Ritchie and Madonna issued on 15 October to confirm their split read:

‘Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven and a half years of marriage. They’ve both requested that the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time.’

There’s little chance of that.

When Guy arrived home 4 weeks ago to the couple's £2.5 million Marylebone home after a night promoting his film RockNRolla, he found paintings were missing from the walls .

Confused and upset, he tried to get in touch with his wife, who was in New York, but there was no answer.

‘Guy couldn’t get through to Madonna,’ says our source. ‘He kept saying: “I’m having to talk to her through her bloody assistant. She’s out of order.”

Madonna’s assistant told him it’d be easier for Guy’s PA to deal with her “people”, as Madonna was “not available” to him any more. It was the final straw for Guy. He said it was totally humiliating.’

Guy doesn’t want to challenge Madonna for her money, but he wants unrestricted access to Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight, and David, three. But will he get it?

A legal insider tells us: ‘The timing’s good for Madonna to file for divorce in New York. She says her friends are there, but secretly she’s playing a tactical game. Courts in New York are sure to be more favourable to her, protecting her finances and ensuring she gets custody of the kids. She’ll say to Guy: “How can you look after the kids when you’re away filming?” She’s being very clever.’

One thing’s for sure: Madonna’s in the driving seat.

See the full story in Now magazine dated 27 October 2008 - out now!