Madonna's ex spills on marriage split, Paris Hilton moves in on Butler

Herald online

17 Dec, 2008 12:28 AM5 mins to read

In gossip: Madonna's ex Carlos Leon opens up about her divorce; Paris Hilton romantically linked to Gerard Butler. Photos / AP, Getty Images

KEY POINTS:

UPDATED: Madonna'

s former lover

Carlos Leon

has spoken out about the Queen of pop's high profile split from

Guy Ritchie

- something he'll undoubtedly live to regret.

Speaking exclusively to

Hello magazine

, personal trainer and actor Leon, 42, who dated Madonna in 1994 and sired her first child, Lourdes, has blabbed to the magazine and spoken of his admiration for Ritchie.

Exactly. This is the bit that Madonna is bound to spit teeth over.

Leon describes Ritchie as a "

gent

" in the interview and speaks of his admiration for the director, also calling him an "

inspiration

It is a bad situation for both Guy and Madonna and I send them a lot of love and all the children involved. I think it is too early to say if the divorce will make things better or worse for the family

," he tells the magazine.

Describing Ritchie, Leon said "

he is the gent. He always treats me with respect

And then he really sticks the knife in.

Of the film work of the two, I like Ritchie better

. He is incredibly talented as a director and producer and he inspires me."

I'd start running now, mate, because when Madge catches up with you she'll have you by the short and curlies.

Leon then goes on to say how proud he is of 12-year-old Lourdes: "I speak to her every day," he said. "She is very talented; she gets that from her mum. She has had advantages I never had. But it is up to her to take it to a new level in singing or acting."

Lola's the spitting image of Madge, so it's no great surprise to learn that she's inherited some of mummy's talent.

But as for Leon ... tsk! Something tells me this is the last time we'll read about the former Mr. Madonna's take on proceedings.

Madrod update

Britain's

Sun

newspaper reports that Madonna and ex Guy Ritchie are indeed planning on spending the festive season together as a family in London, but there's a snag - she's taking

Alex Rodriguez

along with her. Cosy.

A snitch tells the tab: "She wants the kids to be with their parents but

wants time with A-Rod too

Talk about having your cake and eating it. Greedy, greedy greedy!

Moving along...

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