Kanye West is Kim Kardashian's best friend.

The couple had been close for years before they started dating - following Kim's split from her husband, Kris Humphries - and those close to the pair say their relationship works because they are great friends first and foremost.

Related: Kardashian tops Yahoo! 2012 searches

A source said: "She and Kris rushed into their marriage and then a few weeks after they said, 'I do' they realised they didn't even like each other. But Kanye is Kim's best friend. There are no secrets between them and she knows she can trust him."

The couple reportedly want to marry but their plans are being held back because Kim needs to finalise her divorce from Kris - who she split from after just 72 days - first.

The insider added: "Kris has been dragging his feet on the divorce for so long that Kim sometimes wonders if it will ever become official. Kanye wants to give her a wedding she'll never forget but it can't happen until Kris signs the papers."

Related: Kim Kardashian 'handcuffed' to Kris Humphries

Wedding-dressed Qin Lan

Chris Brown and Rihanna go to NBA

Entertainment weekly photos?