Madonna and Guy Ritchie put on a public display of unity on Tuesday night amidst rumours that their marriage is in trouble.

The pair, who haven't been seen together since last month, were photographed holding hands as they headed for a romantic dinner at Italian restaurant Cesca in New York, although neither Madge nor Ritchie were wearing their wedding rings.

A diner at the eatery said of the famous couple in The Sun: “They talked animatedly the whole time. She looked relaxed and laughed quite a few times.

"The waiter said they were swapping stories about their kids. Guy seemed very attentive — there was nothing to suggest they were talking about divorce at all."

Madonna, who has released a statement via her publicist rubbishing claims of divorce talks, is in the Big Apple preparing for her upcoming US tour, while Ritchie jetted in earlier in the week from the UK to visit his wife and children Lourdes, Rocco and David.

The couple have reportedly been at odds about where they will raise the kids, with Madonna keen to relocate to the US permanently, while Ritchie prefers his native Britain.

However, the '4 Minutes' singer's spokesperson Liz Rosenberg stated: "There's no break up or divorce plan and they live together when work allows them to."