Year In Review: 2008's Biggest Celebrity Scandals

Guy Ritchie, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Heather MillsGetty ImagesAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook's custody battle was nasty, but only rough enough to come in at number 6 on our list of 2008's biggest scandals. So which celebrity stories topped it?

#5 Paul McCartney's Divorce

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Britney Spears

Coming in at number 5 on our scandal countdown? Paul McCartney's divorce from Heather Mills. We did 14 stories on the ugly split and its high-profile London court battle.

For her four-year marriage to Paul, Heather made off with nearly $50 million (though she wanted closer to $250 million). And, she dumped a glass of water on the head of McCartney's attorney.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Heath Ledger

#4 Madonna and Guy Ritchie's Divorce

Nineteen stories went to Madonna and Guy Ritchie, who kept divorce rumors at bay when they presented a united front at Guy's London "RockNRolla" premiere.

But by October, the faade crumbled, and their nearly 8-year marriage was kaput, intensifying rumors of a romantic link to A-Rod.

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Madonna has now settled her pricey divorce and Guy will walk away with tens of millions of dollars.

#3 Hogan Family Drama

Rejected by his wife Linda, Hulk Hogan's family drama spiraled out of control in 2008, warranting 20 scandalous stories.

"It wasn't an argument, it was, 'Hey, I don't love you, I don't want to be with you. I don't want to see you anymore,'" Hulk told Access of how Linda ended things.

Hogan's then-17-year-old son, Nick, went to jail in May, for being the driver in a crash that left his best friend in a permanent vegetative state.

Nick spent over a month in solitary confinement, and the Hogans image took a major hit when the county Sheriff's office released jailhouse calls between the teen and his dad, where they criticized car the car accident victim, John Graziano.

"For some reason man, God laid some heavy s*** on that kid, man," Hulk is heard saying.

Daughter Brooke Hogan expressed her anger exclusively to Access over the tape's release.

"I don't know if they're allowed to do that," she said. "Paris Hilton and all these other people haven't had their tapes released."

And she stopped speaking to her 49-year-old mom when Linda started dating then-19-year-old Charley Hill.

"I think it's really crazy because, I'm like, 'Uh, Hello! I'm 20!'" Brooke added.

#2 Heath Ledger's Death

We were on the scene for 2008's most tragic scandal - the death of Heath Ledger.

We ran 26 stories about Ledger, who died suddenly and accidentally in his Soho apartment at age 28 on January 22, from a mix of prescription medication.

#1 Britney's Tumultuous Year

But by far, our number 1 scandal, with 49 stories, was Britney's battles throughout a tumultuous 2008.

Rocking a successful comeback now with her CD "Circus," Brit started the year with a meltdown that landed her in UCLA Medical Center and lost her custody of her two sons.

She was released from the hospital in February, her life placed by the courts under her father Jamie's control. But he's helped her work her way back to the top ever since.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: T.G.I.F. - Madonna & Guy Moving On? (Dec. 22, 2008)
PLAY IT NOW: Access Extended: Hulk Hogan Talks Nick's Homecoming

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Heath Ledger - Madonna - Britney Spears - Hulk Hogan - Paul McCartney