Gwyneth 'will support Madonna through divorce'

Gwyneth Paltrow has broken her usual media silence to say that she will support her friend Madonna through her forthcoming divorce.

Madonna, 50, announced her split with film producer Guy Ritchie last week following months of speculation as to the state of the pair's marriage.

At the UK premiere of her new film Two Lovers, 36-year-old Paltrow said she has been in "constant contact" with Madonna and intends to help her through the tough times ahead.

"She's a very good friend. I'm supporting her in all the ways that I can. I'm just there," she said.

The pair have been friends for some time and have frequently been pictured going to and from yoga sessions together, with both being fans of healthy lifestyles.

They have also both moved from the US to the UK to set up home and start a family.

Legal experts are speculating that Ritchie could stand to gain as much as £50 million from the divorce settlement.

In related news, newlywed Peaches Geldof has said she is not optimistic about the future of her marriage.

Despite being married only two months, the 19-year-old said: "I didn't go into it with Max thinking, 'This is going to last forever'. But I did go into it thinking, 'I love him right now and I know that I will continue to love him for a long while'."