Madonna and Ritchie 'struggled' with marriage

Madonna and Guy Ritchie had been "struggling for a while" to maintain their marriage, according to Trudie Styler, who introduced the pair.

The couple announced last Wednesday that they are to divorce following seven years of marriage.

Styler and her husband Sting introduced the pair in 1999 and they married a year later in 2000, following the birth of their son Rocco.

Rumours abounded earlier this year that their marriage was on the rocks - and the singer's representatives were forced to issue denials that the union was over.

But Styler reveals that the reports were right, and that the pair had been struggling to keep their marriage together for a while.

And despite relations between Madonna and her director husband appearing strained as terms of a divorce settlement are thrashed out, their mutual friend is convinced that the former couple will remains close in the long run.

Styler tells Access Hollywood: "I love them both. They're both dear friends of mine and all good things sometimes come to an end.

"Obviously they've been struggling for a while... I think they're destined to become great pals."