Madonna has spent $40 million trying to "recreate London." The "4 Minutes" singer recently returned to New York following her divorce from director Guy Ritchie, who she spent seven years living in the U.K. capital with, and has splashed out on a British-style town house.

A source said: "The townhouse is perfect for Madonna. She's trying to recreate London in New York City, and this is in the style of a London townhouse."

Madonna has been in tears on the phone to her ex-husband Guy Ritchie. The singer - whose bid to adopt Malawian orphan Mercy James was rejected last week - called the "RocknRolla" director's London home to talk to their son Rocco, eight.

But just minutes into their conversation, the 50-year-old singer reportedly began sobbing and asked to speak to Guy, who she divorced in January because of his "unreasonable behavior."

The father of the girl Madonna is trying to adopt wants her back. James Kambewa claims he had no idea four-year-old Mercy James was still alive until he heard the singer - who saw her adoption application rejected by a Malawian court on Friday - was trying give her a home, but now wants to be part of her life.

Security guard James - who fathered Mercy with now-deceased 15-year-old Mwandida Maunde - told People magazine: "Now that I know Mercy is alive I am willing to support her."

The Malawian child not allowed to be adopted by Madonna has been begging to see her new "mummy." Mercy James, four, was sent back to her orphanage yesterday bewildered and screaming for the pop star.

The 50-year-old singer and her children Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight, and David, three, flew back to Britain last night after her bid to give Mercy a new home was rejected.

Guy Ritchie was mobbed by admiring women at the Empire Awards on Sunday. The "Snatch" director admitted he has been enjoying single life since his divorce from Madonna at the after-party for the British movie magazine's annual ceremony.

He said: "I'm single again - and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm loving it at the moment. This is what I've been missing."

Madonna has filed papers to adopt another African child. An official at the Malawi Welfare Department claims the "4 Minutes" singer lodged official documents yesterday.

The subject of the papers is believed to be three-year-old Mercy James, who Madonna first met in an orphanage in 2007.