Posted Oct. 23, 2008

Dignified is not a word that will be used to describe Madonna and Guy Ritchie's parting of ways. A week after their divorce announcement, the bad blood continues to spill into the tabloids, several of which feature the backbiting former flames (he's rumored to have called her a "granny" and likened her to "a piece of gristle"; she's apparently labeled him a "gold digger" and "emotionally retarded") front and center on their covers.

The latest chapter in their increasingly acrimonious split involves a possible new love interest for Ritchie, a child-centric settlement bonus, sports-related tears, a Christmas kerfuffle and allegations of mistreatment on both sides. Here's a rundown:

Madonna's bulging quads take center stage during a performance in Boston earlier this month. (©AP) More photos

"She would taunt Guy, saying, 'I should have married someone like me: strong, hot-blooded, intelligent, ambitious, spiritual,'" a Ritchie confidant tattles to the magazine. "Their fights would often get heated. A few times Madonna slapped him or poked him."

In retaliation, he supposedly struck out at Madonna's most vulnerable spots: her age, her preternaturally pumped-up body and her vocal stylings.

"Guy called her old, fat, ugly and wrinkled and said that she was stupid and couldn't sing," counters a Madonna insider.

That sure makes Ritchie, 40, sound like quite the catch, and it turns out there are already whispers that he's been caught by a stunning redhead.

Seems he's been spotted in proximity to British actress Kelly Reilly, who co-stars opposite Robert Downey Jr. in the director's flick in filming, "Sherlock Holmes."

Guy and Kelly Reilly attend a "Sherlock Holmes" press conference in London on Oct. 1. (©Hogan/Getty Images)

The Chicago Sun-Times says they were "looking very cozy" while breaking bread at a London eatery a few days back.

"It didn't look like they were having a simple business dinner," an eyewitness conclusion-leaps to the paper. "There was lots of hand-holding, looking longingly into each other's eyes ... and they were sitting side by side on a tiny banquette."

An Us spy also noted their body language as they shared lunch on the set, recalling, "Kelly touched Guy's arm and leaned in to him when she spoke."

Ritchie's rep, however, scoffs to the mag that the romance speculation is "absolutely untrue."

Reilly, for her part, told the Times of London last month that she's been flying back and forth between London and New York in order to be with her fiancé, Israeli actor Jonah Lotan.

As for Madonna's connection to A-Rod, Us hints that there could be other factors involved in her adamantly denied "affair of the heart" with the New York Yankees star, who may be nearing a deal to buy a New York penthouse located just a couple of blocks away from the Big M's pad.

"[Her manager] Guy Oseary knew Madonna and Guy were splitting and didn't want this 50-year-old lady without a man," snipes a source. "So he brought her together with Alex. He may be infatuated with her, but it was never this outrageous affair that ended the marriage."

Life & Style believes that Madonna and Rodriguez, who has supposedly pledged to help her spread the word about her beloved Kabbalah, plan to make their well-muscled debut by the end of the year.

"She and Alex are definitely aiming to get together before Christmas," asserts an insider.

But an Us source disagrees, insisting, "They will not be stepping out publicly. Maybe not ever. But they're definitely romantic."

Neither scenario is likely to lessen Ritchie's ostensible angst over son Rocco, 8, sporting a Yankees T-shirt Monday in New York.

Guy and Madonna walk their last red carpet together at the London premiere of "RocknRolla" on Sept. 1. (©Retna Ltd.)

"He's actually been crying over it," an on-set "Sherlock" mole exaggerates to tells Us. "He's in a terrible state but is doing his best to be on form at work."

According to the snitch, Guy was "in pieces" over photos of Rocco unwittingly making the loaded fashion statement, even though the tyke wore the same shirt while out with his dad in July, just after the A-Rod rumors surfaced.

"He said she is the 'lowest of the low,' and is even more determined to fight for his side now," adds the source. "Madonna has hit the wrong button. He won't sink to her level, but she better watch out because it seems he has a lot on her."

Still, Ritchie may not be the only one shedding tears.

"She cries a lot," a spy maintains to In Touch. "She thought the marriage would be for life."

But now that happily-ever-after is off the table, the on-tour pop icon is apparently trying to make sure she's able to pull the strings when it comes to Rocco, Lourdes, 12, and David, 3.

The London Daily Mail claims Madonna, whose fortune is estimated in the half-billion-dollar range, has offered to increase Guy's cash settlement from around $25 million to $32 million in exchange for full kiddie control (he's also expected to keep their country house and the London pub he co-owns).

"Madonna has said to Guy that if she ups the money, then would he agree to her setting out the access for the children until they turn 18," says an insider. "Basically she is offering a cash incentive to him to encourage an amicable out-of-court agreement over the children ... Madonna is keen to give Guy good access to the children -- but on her terms."

Terms that may not include jolly old St. Nick.

Madonna carries son David in New York on Oct. 1. (©WireImage.com)

The London Daily Mirror contends that Madonna is digging in her stilettos over his wish to treat the tykes to their "first traditional Christmas," something their Kabbalah-devoted mom is said to be firmly against.

"What he wants more than anything, though, is to actually be with the kids at that time of year, and he just hopes Madonna can compromise," explains a snitch, who points out that Ritchie has no grudge against the red string-festooned religion. "Guy has taken a lot from Kabbalah, and any talk of him being against it now is rubbish. But he's also very much a British traditionalist, and he would love to pass on some of the flavor of a traditional Christmas to his kids."

Speaking of Kabbalah, the Daily Mail believes it was at the center of a bitter argument that finally made Ritchie realize the marriage was irretrievably broken.

"Madonna had been moaning about his lack of support and lack of interest in what she has doing with Kabbalah," blabs a source. "She told Guy she did not understand why she was ridiculed by the press for what she was doing with the religion. But Guy just reacted quite sarcastically and told her to 'get over herself.'"

The insider says that's when things "got a bit surreal," with Madonna supposedly pointing out how she had been "chosen" to be a "spiritual guru.'"

Guy's ostensible response: "Listen, love, you're just a singer,'" to which Madonna -- and take this with a biceps-size grain of salt, people -- is said to have channeled a Beatles-era John Lennon by replying, "Listen, baby, I'm bigger than Jesus.'"

"Guy was dumbfounded," relays the mole. "At that point, he realized that he really had lost her to the Kabbalah. From that point on, Guy felt totally alienated from Madonna."