Madonna has vowed to stay in London despite the painful break-up of her marriage.

The American singer was expected to return to her home country after the breakdown of her nearly eight-year marriage to Guy, but reportedly wants to remain in the UK capital for the sake of the three children they raise together: Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight and adopted David Banda, three.

A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Everyone expected Madonna to go and live in New York - taking the children with her. But despite some of the unhappy memories that London holds, she still feels that it's the best base for the kids.

"They are very happy at their school and she doesn't want anything to interfere with that. Lon

don still has a massive hold on her and it's hard to just shake off.

"While she will still spend a lot of time away from Britain like she does at the moment, any suggestion she's turning her back on Britain for good are false."

Guy, 40, is insisting on having full access to the children. He is not Lourdes' biological father, but has always treated her as his own.

Meanwhile, Madonna has now been linked to convicted mafia killer Chris Paciello.

The 50-year-old singer was rumoured to be involved with 37-year-old Paciello 10 years ago - before he was jailed in 1999 for seven years for his role in a New York robbery which left a woman dead.

A source claims Madonna has been flying to Paciello's home in Miami to rekindle their relationship between shows on her 'Sticky and Sweet' tour.

She also reportedly put up ￡25,000 bail when Paciello was arrested on suspicion of beating up a man in Hollywood in August.

A source told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Chris was in trouble again earlier this year, and it was Madonna he turned to for help then. They've remained close, and they're in constant touch wherever she is in the world."

It has been reported the pair were both staying in the same hotel in Toronto yesterday, after Madonna's performance in the Canadian city on Saturday.

Madonna has repeatedly been romantically linked to US baseball star Alex 'A-Rod' Rodriguez, but has always denied their alleged relationship.