Kidman: 'Its rehab or the marriage is over'

By Stone Martindale Oct 26, 2006, 17:39 GMT

Australian actress Nicole Kidman (R) walks with her husband, Australian country music singer Keith Urban, through the lobby of a hotel in Sydney, Monday 26 June 2006. Kidman and Urban were married 25 June in a traditional Catholic ceremony in a clifftop chapel in the Sydney beachside suburb of Manly. EPA/RICK RYCROFT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

The gloves came off when newlywed Nicole Kidman allegedly told Keith Urban to go to rehab or their new marriage was over.

Urban allegedly admitted to Kidman over the phone that he had fallen off the wagon and started drinking again.  Kidman was en route to production for the film 'His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass' when she learned of this.

Keith, 39, started to hit robust Nashville bar scene again.  Kidman was informed by friends that Keith was out drinking, and called him on it.

"Nicole called Keith and confronted him," an insider told Life & Style magazine.

"He got defensive and accused her of spying on him."

Kidman returned to the US, where "she gave him a choice. He could enter a program or she'd leave him," an unnamed friend of Kidman's said.

"He chose the former. Keith can't stand the thought of life without Nicole.  "That's his motivation to kick this thing for good...she's an emotional wreck," the friend said.

"She would never say it to Keith, but she's telling her family and close friends that her marriage is hanging by the thread.

"She says she wants to help Keith conquer his demons so the two of them can move on with their lives."

Kidman has received support during a difficult time from ex-husband Tom Cruise and his fiance Katie Holmes.

"As soon as Tom heard, he called Nic to offer any help he could give.

"He said to call anytime for anything she needs," a friend of Kidman's told the magazine.

"It meant a lot to Nicole."