The queen of pop and her husband are to divorce, the couples' representative has confirmed.

The statement issued 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. A final settlement has not been agreed upon yet."

There has been increasing speculation that Madonna's relationship with the film director has been on the rocks. In July her publicist denied the pair were planning to split saying their marriage did not "need saving".