'Phoney' Guy Ritchie

Oct 22, 2008, 4:00 GMT

It\'s OVER: A file picture dated 01 September 2008 shows British director Guy Ritchie and his wife, US singer Madonna arriving at the World Premiere of his new film \'RocknRolla\' at the Odeon West End in London, Britain. Madonna and Guy Ritchie are to divorce, according to media reports 15 October 2008. EPA/DANIEL DEME

Guy Ritchie is a "fake and a phoney", say friends of Madonna.

The 'RocknRolla' director - who raises three children with his estranged wife - reportedly used the 50-year-old singer for her money, insisting she buy a 1,200 hundred-acre estate and transport him around the world on private jets to conquer his fear of flying.

A source close to Madonna, who announced last week she and Guy are divorcing after nearly eight years of marriage, told gossip website PerezHilton.com: "Guy Ritchie is a fake and a phoney. Guy is not a macho man. Not an English lad. Not a gentleman. Not spiritual. He's just a money-hungry gold digger that doesn't want to earn his way."

It has also been claimed Guy was in a long-term relationship when he was introduced to Madonna, at a dinner party held by Sting and Trudie Styler in 1999.

Guy - who reportedly already had a reputation as a "gold digger" due to his then-girlfriend Rebecca Green's extensive financial resources - decided to split from Rebecca after he met Madonna, because he realised she was even richer.

Another source close to Madonna said: "For his entire marriage to Madonna, Guy lived like a king. He never spent any of his own money for their lifestyle or the children.

"Madonna finally got fed up with him never being around and being used and filed for a divorce. Guy has threatened to go after half of Madonna's hard-earned money, claiming that the law is on his side. He doesn't care that he has his own money. He feels he is entitled to half of her empire."

Meanwhile, rumours of a relationship between Madonna and baseball player Alex Rodriguez have been further fuelled after Madonna and Guy's eight-year-old son Rocco wore a New York Yankees T-shirt (Alex's baseball team) to a play centre in the city on Monday (20.10.08).