Slash - Slash To Divorce

Slash is to divorce his wife of nine years.

The former Guns N' Roses rocker - real name Saul Hudson - filed papers in Los Angeles County Superior Court last week citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason behind the split from Perla Ferrar.

The couple married in October 2001 and have two sons together, London Emilio, eight and six-year-old Cash Anthony.

The guitarist - who has listed the date of separation as July 15 2010 - is requesting joint physical and legal custody of the two boys and is willing to pay spousal support.

According to gossip website TMZ.com, the split is "extremely acrimonious".

This is Slash's second marriage after splitting from first wife Renee Suran in 1997 after a five-year union.

It seemed fatherhood and marriage to Perla had a calming influence on Slash - who is renowned for his rock 'n' roll lifestyle - as he recently revealed he no longer drinks or takes drugs.

The 45-year-old musician said: "I quit doing drugs. But because I'm a habitual kinda guy, if I quit doing drugs, then I drink. And then if I quit drinking, I do drugs - forever. So I quit doing drugs this one time, and I decided not to drink too. It's been four years. And I really don't miss it."