Madonna seeks solace in Guy Ritchie

Madonna has been in tears on the phone to her ex-husband Guy Ritchie.

The singer - whose bid to adopt Malawian orphan Mercy James was rejected last week - called the 'RocknRolla' director's London home to talk to their son Rocco, eight.

But just minutes into their conversation, the 50-year-old singer reportedly began sobbing and asked to speak to Guy, who she divorced in January because of his "unreasonable behaviour".

A source said: "Civil conversations between them have been few and far between in the past year.

"But over the last week things have improved. Guy had Rocco over for a visit when Madonna called to see if he was OK, as she always does when she is away from the kids.

"Rocco was speaking to her and suddenly turned to Guy and said, 'Daddy, daddy. Mummy is crying.' He then handed Guy the phone."

Guy spent an hour comforting his ex, and now calls Madonna every day to see how she is.

The source continued to Britain's The Sun newspaper: "It's unusual for Madonna to cry but this has really upset her. Explaining to Rocco why Mercy wasn't coming home has been difficult.

"Guy was incredibly sympathetic, calmed her down and told her to be happy with the family she had."

Madonna and her children Lourdes, 12, Rocco and David, three, flew into Malawi last week to finalise the adoption of Mercy, four.

The singer was expecting to be granted custody immediately but Judge Esme Chombo rejected the case because Madonna has not lived in Malawi for 18 months or more.

Guy, 40, has publicly supported the adoption bid and was "saddened" when it was turned down.

He said: "I fully supported Madonna in her decision to apply for this adoption, and I am saddened her application has been rejected.

"She is motivated only by being a caring parent who seeks to share some of the advantages and opportunities that her life has given her."