Home News TV Listings Movies Music Video Photos Radio Extra Book Club RTÉ Guide

Music News

Madonna's marriage to be scrutinised

Madonna and Guy Ritchie's private life is reportedly going under the microscope as adoption officials test them to see if they are fit parents.
1 of 1 Couple want to adopt 2-year-old Malawian  David Banda.
Couple want to adopt 2-year-old Malawian  David Banda. 

The Sun newspaper reports that the singer and her family will be judged on their suitability to adopt Malawian youngster David Banda.

Madonna travelled to the south-eastern African country last October to adopt the two-year-old in a move that attracted widespread controversy and condemnation from child welfare groups.

And the Sun today claimed that Malawi's top adoption official will travel to Madonna, 48, and 38-year-old Ritchie's west London home in a fortnight in the final legal hurdle facing the couple.

According to the tabloid, ministry of child welfare director Penston Kilembe will be entitled to assess the couple's relationship with each other and with their two children Lourdes, ten, and Rocco, seven, for five hours a day, for a maximum of five days.

An unnamed sourced quoted by the Sun claims Madonna and film director Ritchie are "dreading" the adoption inspection.

"This home study is a big deal and Madonna and Guy have been absolutely dreading it. Malawi is a conservative country that disapproves of drugs, alcohol, divorce and cheating.

"These assessments are very gruelling and many couples don't pass."

add your own comment
User contributions and/or comments do not, unless specifically stated, represent the views of RTÉ.ie or RTÉ.
Click here for Terms of use

Must Watch TV

  • - The Irish Film and Television Awards
    Simon Delaney: back again to host the IFTAs

    9.40pm RTÉ One

    Simon Delaney hosts as the biggest star-studded event in the Irish calendar gets held at the Convention Centre Dublin, with the likes of Glenn Close, Michael Fassbender and Maria Doyle Kennedy all nominated. The features nominated for Best Film at IFTA 2012 are the period drama Albert Nobbs; Irish psychological thriller Charlie Casanova; black comedy The Guard, and rural drama Stella Days. Even if you're watching at home, it's recommended that you dress accordingly and leave a red mat outside your front door.

  • - The Jonathan Ross Show
    Jonathan Ross: Denzel Washington is among this week's guests

    9.15pm UTV

    On the show this week, Jonathan welcomes a host of acting talent: double Oscar winner, Denzel Washington, Keira Knightley, and British hardman-turned-Hollywood hunk, Tom Hardy. To top it all he's got the legendary Dionne Warwick singing live in the studio.

  • - Take Me Out
    Paddy McGuinness: more date-dealing for 30 single girls

    8.00pm UTV

    What do you mean 'It's rubbish!'? Of course it's rubbish, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it. The irrepressible Paddy McGuinness tries to arrange more dates for his line-up of 30 single girls. Descending from the love lift this time around are: a farmer from Devon, a management consultant from Hull, a young Conservative from Manchester and a London architecture student. You can also see how the couples from last week survived the Isle of Fernando's.

  • - All Star Family Fortunes
    Vernon Kay: back for more Family Fortunes

    6.00pm UTV

    The classic family game show that stretches all the way back to the '70s returns for another run, starting off with teams consisting of TV presenter Carol Vorderman and her family playing astrologer (and Strictly Come Dancing contestant) Russell Grant and his family. Hosted by Vernon Kay, both celebrities and their families go head to head for the big money, and the chance to win up to a five-figure sum for the charity of their choice.

  • - Casualty
    Casualty: another busy night at Holby General

    9.20pm, BBC ONE

    Plenty of high drama at Holby General's A&E department as Zoe tries to convince Sam to sit down and talk to Keith Parr before he brings an action against Sam and the hospital. A troubled woman is brought into the ED after being hit by a lorry and Lloyd is quick to jump to conclusions about the driver. Meanwhile Linda has a chance to examine her feelings when Lenny tackles her about putting her niece and nephew into care.