Star couple “on the brink of divorce” after 5 years together

Celebrity

Apr 16, 2015

We wish every love story came with a happy ending, but unfortunately it's not always the case.

Nicole Richie and her rocker husband Joey Madden have been married for almost five years, but now it seems things are on the rocks.

The news comes just weeks after pictures of Nicole looking curvier than usual around her stomach area sparked rumours she might be expecting another child:

The couple have two children together, seven-year-old Harlow and five-year-old Sparrow, and sources say they would already have split if there were no children involved.

"If it wasn’t for the kids, they’d be divorced already," a source told InTouch magazine. "Nicole’s already trying to hang on for their sake, but she’s at her breaking point."

Nicole and Good Charlotte lead singer Joel have reportedly been spending increased amounts of time away from each other in an effort to get some breathing space. "They’ve been spending more time apart because all they do is fight when they’re together," said the insider.

"Nicole can be very forceful when she doesn’t get her way, and Joel doesn’t respond to that."

It's thought one of their main sources of disagreement is how they should be raising their two young children – something they have not seen eye-to-eye on of late.

"For example, Nicole’s been on a health kick and wants the kids on the same diet. But when Joel’s around, he lets them have candy and juice boxes and whatever they want — it makes her furious," said the source.

The couple were last seen together around a month ago at a joint birthday lunch for Joel and his twin brother Benji, who is married to actress Cameron Diaz.