Queen of Pop Madonna raised a few eyebrows as she performed a raunchy striptease on stage as she returned to the UK in London's Hyde Park. It was her first performance in the UK for four years since her Sticky And Sweet tour in 2009.
Performing in front of around 50,000 fans she was careful to avoid falling foul of the authorities by finishing her show minutes before the 10.30pm curfew, which saw Bruce 'The Boss' Springsteen being cut off for over-running. Madonna, whose real name is Madonna Louise Ciccone, previously married to British film-maker Guy Ritchie, introduced her 11-year-old son Rocco, who joined her as a dancer on stage. She performed tracks from her latest album MDNA as well as classic favourites like Papa Don't Preach, Hung Up and Vogue - and even took a pop at music rival Lady Gaga by incorporating a rendition of Gaga's Born This Way during Express Yourself. Later in the show Madonna brandished two guns on Revolver and Gang Bang and joked about the weather when it began to rain. "Everybody, say your prayers to make the rain go away," she quipped.
The 53-year-old stripped down to a sheer bra to revealing a No Fear tattoo on her back. She then pulled down her pinstripe trousers to expose a black lacy thong under fishnet tights as she sang a stripped-back version of her hit Like A Virgin. Brahim Zaibat, Madonna's boyfriend and one of her backing dancers then fastened a corset around her. The superstar, who is no stranger to controversy said "I like to live dangerously." Initially stepping out in a figure-hugging black jacket and trousers, and showing off her cleavage in an animal-print bra, she had several costume changes during the two-hour set, including a cheerleader outfit, black leather gladiator-style dress and a glitzy gold robe.
