Madonna throws low-key party for Guy

Superstar Madonna threw a birthday party for her film-maker husband Guy Ritchie at the weekend - in a room at the back of a London pub.

The Material Girl wanted to make sure Ritchie's 36th birthday was one to remember, so she decided to forego glitz and glamour in favour of drinking ale with his friends.

The 46-year-old singer paid £30 (€44) to hire the venue in The Punchbowl pub in the British capital's exclusive Mayfair district.

An insider says: "The party was great fun but not the type of do you'd expect Madonna to organise.

"She drank ale all night and really let her hair down. She had hired a two-piece Irish band and sang along to all the songs with everyone else.

"Madonna left by herself just before 1am and she was pretty merry. She could have hired The Ritz and had champagne flowing all night but she knows what Guy likes.

"Guy said it was the best night out he'd had in ages. He stayed on until 3.30am and was in a right old state, telling all his pals how much he loved them and singing at the top of his voice."