Madonna's ex: 'I prefer Ritchie'

Madonna's ex-partner Carlos Leon has admitted that he prefers Guy Ritchie's film work over the singer's.

Leon, who is father to Madonna's 12-year-old daughter Lourdes, described Ritchie as a "gent" and revealed that the director "inspired" him.

"[Guy] is the gent. He always treats me with respect," he told Hello. "Of the film work of the two, I like Ritchie better. He is incredibly talented as a director and producer and he inspires me.

"It is a bad situation for both Guy and Madonna and I send them a lot of love and all the children involved. I think it is too early to say if the divorce will make things better or worse for the family."

Madonna and Ritchie divorced last month after eight years of marriage. Their custody agreement will allow Lourdes, who previously lived in the UK, to remain permanently in the US.

"I speak to [Lourdes] every day," Leon added. "She is very talented, she gets that from her mum. She has had advantages I never had. But it is up to her to take it to a new level in singing or acting."