BBC News Online: Entertainment

Madonna to wed Ritchie

The 42-year-old singer said Guy Ritchie had asked her to marry him and she had said "yes".

She said Ritchie had bought her a ring but said they were both far too busy for the wedding to take place before Christmas.

"We've discussed it but we haven't booked a Scottish castle or anything like that."

She said the couple had decided to settle in England so that their four-month-old son Rocco and his three-year-old sister Lourdes would have a stable upbringing.

Property purchase

"We have decided on that and so we will be living here properly in about two years," the pop star said.

Madonna has been spending more time in the UK since the start of her relationship with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director Ritchie more than a year ago.

Earlier this month it was reported that she had bought a house in London's Notting Hill for about £6.9m.

The singer recently announced she is to play her first British concert for seven years before a crowd of about 3,500 invited guests and competition winners at the Brixton Academy in south London on 28 November.

Madonna's career is enjoying a boom after her recent success at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Stockholm.

She was named best dance act and best female performer, beating off the likes of Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez.