Guy Ritchie compares marriage to Madonna to a 'soap opera'

Guy Ritchie has compared his marriage to Madonna to a "soap opera".

The film director was married to the pop singer for eight years and they have an 11-year-old son, Rocco.

He admitted to Details magazine that their relationship had propelled him into the spotlight, but said it was a "positive experience" overall.

Ritchie, the director of the forthcoming Sherlock Holmes 2, said: "I enjoyed my first marriage. It's definitely not something I regret.

"The experience was ultimately very positive. I love the kids that came out of it, and I could see no other route to take. But you move on, don't you?

"I stepped into a soap opera, and I lived in it for quite a long period of my life. I'll probably be more eloquent on it 10 years from now."

The Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels director also admitted that being married to Madonna had helped his film career.

He said: "When you end up with a lot of the things you set out to chase and find that you've stumbled into all sorts of hollow victories, then you become deeply philosophical.

"I'm quite happy that that experience was accelerated for me. I'm glad I made money, in other words. And I'm glad I got married."

The 43-year-old, who recently welcomed his second child, with girlfriend Jacqui Ainsley, also said he did not take parenting advice from anyone else as he believes "you've got to work it out for yourself".

Ritchie said: "I am anti-school. And I'm anti people putting so much pressure on kids and robbing their childhood by giving them so much homework. I think if kids want to arse around, then they should."