Guy Ritchie and MadonnaWe've heard it before, but this time insiders say it's for real.

According to "well-placed" sources, Madonna's seven-year marriage to Guy Ritchie is heading for Splitsville.

A statement from the couple confirming the separation is apparently expected "imminently".

Insiders close to Madge claim that she had wanted to wait until her Sweet 'n' Sticky tour was over before calling it a day with Guy - but is now bringing the expected announcement forward because neither of them can "bear to live with the pretence any longer".

A source tells The Sun: "Despite huge attempts to patch things up, they both knew deep down that divorce was on the cards.

"It wasn't a matter of 'if' but 'when'. They tried hard over the last few months, but their fighting was getting out of control.

"The final straw came before Madonna started her US tour. Guy said if they were going to split, it had to be now.

"Madonna was dithering at first about whether a separation would be best or whether to go ahead with a divorce. She has now agreed with Guy that a divorce is the best thing to do."

Speculation that Madge and Guy's marriage was in trouble first surfaced earlier this year, with pictures of the duo looking tense and awkward together at the premiere of Guy's flick RocknRolla doing little to dispel the chit-chat.

However, Madge's spokeswoman repeatedly denied the split rumours at the time.Madonna returns to her New York apartment alone last night

Madonna was also forced to make a statement denying that she had had an affair with her pal, New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez, following a spate of rumours that she  was responsible for his marital breakdown earlier this year.

Addressing the latest split rumours today, Madonna's rep Barbara Charone told AFP:

"We're not going  to know anything until the US wakes up."

She added that she was not clear whether there would even be a statement at all.

We'll have our ears open and keep you posted.