Madonna hoping for hassle-free split

Madonna has vowed that her split from Guy Ritchie will be handled "quickly and reasonably", according to a report.

The Queen of Pop is expected to announce that her seven-year marriage to Ritchie is over after completing her Sticky And Sweet world tour in November.

A friend of the couple told the Daily Mail: "The possibility that they might divorce has been the elephant in the room between Madonna and Guy for at least the last two years. Neither of them is shocked about it. They both knew it was coming.

"Now, for Madonna at least, it's about efficiency. For her, it's just something else on the agenda, a matter to be handled quickly and reasonably. Only recently, she told Guy: 'You know it's over and I know it's over. So, let's just do it in as civilised a way as we can.'

"I think she believed that if there was an understanding between them before the tour began, he wouldn't have as much right to complain about his and the children's lives being turned upside down, as he has done in the past."

Sources claim that Madonna has struggled to strike the right balance between her career and family life throughout her time with Guy.

One insider revealed: "Every couple of years, it's the same story. She makes a record. She tours to promote it. It causes chaos in their lives. He complains. They fight - a lot. The tour ends. She promises 'never again'. Two years go by, and then she plans another record and another tour."