Gwyneth is helping Madonna through split

updated 6:02 p.m. ET Oct. 20, 2008

LONDON - Actress Gwyneth Paltrow said Monday that she’s helping her friend Madonna through her marriage split.

Paltrow told reporters that she’s supporting the pop star following the announcement last Wednesday that she’s separated from film director husband Guy Ritchie.

“She’s a very good friend. I’m supporting her in all the ways that I can. I’m just there for her. I speak to her a lot,” Paltrow told reporters, as she attended a premiere of her film “Two Lovers” at London’s Film Festival.

Like Madonna, Paltrow — who is married to Coldplay singer Chris Martin — lives partly in London.

Madonna and Ritchie confirmed their separation last week, nearly eight years after their wedding in a Scottish castle in December 2000.

The couple have two children: Rocco, 8, and David Banda, 3, who was adopted in Malawi in 2006. Madonna also has a 12-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from a previous relationship.

Madonna’s publicist said Sunday that details of a divorce settlement are yet to be finalized, dismissing reports that the couple had agreed to a custody arrangement for the couple’s children.

The couple own homes in London, Los Angeles and New York, and a 1,200-acre retreat in Wiltshire, England.

MORE FROM CELEBRITIES

Celebrities Section Front

Murphy autopsy finds no signs of trauma Terrorist attack feared after Jackson arrest Pete Doherty charged with heroin possession Randy Quaid, wife plead not guilty in fraud case Stones’ Wood gets police warning for assault Arnold Stang, actor known for nerdy roles, dies Top entertainment stories of 2009 Calif. court rejects bid to dismiss Polanski case Weather doesn’t stop Jonas brother’s wedding Newsweek: Entertainment predictions for 2010 Celebrities Section Front   Add Celebrities headlines to your news reader: