Madonna: "I deserve a pat on the back"

Madonna has said that she deserves a "pat on the back" for putting up with husband Guy Ritchie.

The singer, whose marriage has recently been rumoured to be in trouble, did not wear her wedding ring to the Brit Awards last week, and has said her marriage is full of "clashes."

According to BreakingNews.ie, Madonna believes strain is put on her marriage due to her career and family life.

She explained: "I must admit, I have to pat myself on the back. It's not easy to be married, to have a successful career, to have children, to be with someone who is as strong-willed and ambitious as I am.

"Guy's not a househusband and I'm not a typical wife. So you can imagine, we have our clashes. But I think we always keep our eye on the ball - that is our marriage - the union of us, the things that we create together, are bigger than the petty fights we have."