Madonna and Ritchie dispel divorce rumour with dinner date

Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie have put on a show of unity with a rare public appearance together in New York.

The couple enjoyed a meal at an Italian restaurant - just hours after Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg issued a statement denying the pair is set to divorce.

Madonna and Ritchie were snapped heading into an exclusive restaurant hand in hand on Tuesday evening.

A source tells People.com: "(They looked) like a normal couple that just wanted to have a nice dinner out.

"They looked very unassuming, not like they were looking for attention."

Another onlooker tells the website: "Everyone was whispering and saying, 'Wow, that was Madonna. She is supposed to be separating from her husband. I can't believe she's here.'"