Madonna crucified

Music

13:30 23 May 2006

Madonna has angered religious leaders by being 'crucified' on stage on the opening night of her world tour.

The pop diva was 'nailed' to a 20ft glittering cross before singing her hit, 'Live to Tell', to a 20,000-strong audience in Los Angeles on Sunday (21.05.06).

A Church of England spokesman is quoted on Britain's BBC website as saying: "Why would someone with so much talent seem to feel the need to promote herself by offending so many people?"

David Muir, of the Evangelical Alliance, said the pop diva's use of Christian imagery "is an abuse and it is dangerous".

He added: "She should drop it from the tour and people need to find their own means of expressing their disapproval."

Elsewhere in Madonna's 'Confessions' show, the 47-year-old star proved she is still the undisputed Queen of Pop.

Fans went wild when she burst onstage from a giant glitter ball and launched into 'Future Lovers'.

The sexy singer - who was wearing tight jodhpurs and black riding boots - then treated the crowd to an erotic pole-dance as she balanced on a large black saddle suspended from the ceiling.

As she performed, gigantic images of her broken bones - the result of her horse riding accident last year - were shown.

(C) BANG Media International