Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie are to divorce after nearly eight years of marriage, their spokeswoman has confirmed.

The announcement follows months of speculation that the couple's relationship was in trouble.

A statement e-mailed to The Associated Press from Liz Rosenberg said that the couple had agreed to divorce, and requested the media maintain respect their privacy.
The statement, co-signed by Ritchie's representative, said the couple had not agreed to a settlement.

In July, Madonna's publicist denied the pair were planning to divorce, saying their marriage did not "need saving".
They appeared together at last month's premiere of Ritchie's RocknRolla in London and posed for photographs. Guy Ritchie and Madonna married in December 2000 in the Highlands.

Sources: BBC News and the AP