Ryan Giggs divorce wife

Ryan Giggs's marriage to estranged wife Stacey Cooke was ended today as the latest round of their protracted split was signed off by a senior judge.

The pair were granted a decree nisi at London's Central Family Court, paving the way for a financial settlement to be finally agreed later this year.

The former Manchester United star, 43, has been locked in a lengthy battle with Stacey, 39, since last year, with a judge set to rule on how their assets are shared if their lawyers cannot reach an agreement.

Neither Giggs nor Stacey attended today's short court hearing, after which her lawyer made a statement on her behalf.