The couple made little contact with the crowd, walking past most of the 2,000 people who had gathered at the Leicester Square Tuesday evening without giving autographs.

Ritchie, hitting back at poor reviews for his latest work, told reporters: "The critics have been harsh all the way through my career but it doesn't affect me."

But Madonna defended her husband's new work, telling Sky News: "I love it. I think it's a very brave film, a bit macho."

She also said she enjoyed not having to work the red carpet, saying it was fun to just "dress up and show up".

The singer, who has had her left arm in a sling since a riding accident in August, revealed that the support would be coming off "in a week".

Ritchie made his name with hit gangster films "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch".

"Revolver" features a criminal who revives a feud with a gangland boss.