LONDON, England --

Madonna and Guy Ritchie are divorcing, a rep for the singer confirmed to Access Hollywood.

The couple will end their marriage after almost eight years.

British publications The Sun and The Daily Mail first reported news of the split on Wednesday.

The Sun claimed that Madonna and Guy “can’t bear to live with the pretence any longer,” also citing Madonna’s desire to adopt another child and the amount of time their careers consume as factors that eroded the marriage.

A “highly-placed” source reportedly told The Sun, “It’s very sad. They were a great couple and brilliant parents. They just couldn’t live together any more.”

Another source close to Madonna claims they had initially planned on waiting until next year to announce their divorce — after her “Sticky & Sweet” finished — but they decided now to finalize the separation before Christmas, according to The Sun.

News of Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s alleged impending divorce was a hot topic on Wednesday morning, even making news on NBC’s “Today” show.

As previously reported by Access, speculation of marriage troubles started in June, when Madonna reportedly had talks with Fiona Shackleton, the high-powered British divorce lawyer who represented Paul McCartney during his split from Heather Mills, according to The Times of London.

Madonna is said to be worth an estimated $590 million, and the couple does not have a prenuptial agreement, according to The Times.

The following month, in July, the divorce rumors flared up again when Madonna was reportedly spotted leaving the apartment of New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, according to Us Weekly.

Madonna denied she was having a relationship with Rodriguez, telling Access in a statement, “My husband and I are not planning on getting a divorce. I know Alex Rodriguez through Guy Oseary, who manages both of us. I brought my kids to a Yankee game. I am not romantically involved in any way with Alex Rodriguez.”

That same week, Madonna’s rep told Access, “It’s nothing new that people are airing tons of dirty laundry Madonna’s way lately – much of it untrue.”

The Material Mom married the British film director in 2000. They have three children between them: Lourdes, 12, who Madonna had with Carlos Leon, Rocco, 8, and David, 2.

Madonna is in the middle of the U.S. leg of her “Sticky & Sweet” tour, which lands in Boston tonight. She premiered her feature film directorial debut, “Filth and Wisdom,” in New York on Monday.

Ritchie has been filming his latest movie, “Sherlock Holmes.” His latest film, “RocknRolla,” his U.S. theaters on October 31.

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