FALLEN MADONNA?
As injuries put tour in doubt, UK fans may need to rely on a little prayer...
MADONNA is facing a backlash from fans after cancelling the first London show of her Madame X tour because of injuries.
The Material Girl singer, 61, told fans she had to pull out of tonight’s event, the first of a 15-show run, saying she ‘must always listen to my body and put my health first’.
It is the latest show to be cancelled on the tour, with fans also left disappointed in the US and Portugal when performances were dropped.
Devotees of the Queen of Pop said axing shows at short notice was ‘ not fair’ because fans had already spent hundreds of pounds on hotels and travel. They said she should scrap the whole tour and concentrate on ‘getting well’ rather than cancel individual shows.
One said ‘ anyone in their right mind’ would not risk buying the remaining tickets for the tour. Another fan added it was becoming like a ‘guessing game’ whether she would perform or not.
Tickets for the concerts range from £69 to £511.50, with the most expensive still available for most London performances. She was due to perform the first of her London shows tonight at the Palladium. The pop star also cancelled a show in Lisbon, Portugal, last week.
On Saturday Madonna posted a message on Instagram which said: ‘I am deeply sorry that I have to cancel my concert scheduled for Monday January 27th in London. Under doctors’ guidance I have been told to rest for a few days.’
She added: ‘As you all know, I have injuries that have plagued me since the beginning of the tour, but I must always listen to my body and put my health first.’ She previously said she had been warming up for her shows ‘very carefully’ because of her injury last week, with a video showing her wearing knee supports and recuperating in an ice bath.
Madonna also released images showing her performing stretches and having work done on her back in preparation for the Madame X tour. The star said the last thing she wanted to do was ‘disappoint my fans or compromise the integrity of my show’, adding: ‘So I will keep going until I cannot.’
She said ‘anyone who purchased a ticket will be refunded for tickets purchased that evening’.
Madonna added: ‘Again I am deeply sorry to disappoint anyone and please know that it hurts me more than you can imagine to have to cancel any shows. Thank you again for your understanding.’
But after the announcement fans vented their frustration at the short notice of the cancellation. There were also fears from those with tickets for other shows as to whether these performances would still happen.
One wrote on Twitter: ‘I’ve lost thousands on plane tickets, hotel, and travel expenses. Not to mention time off from work.’
Another added: ‘We had booked accommodation and train tickets! She is letting so many fans down.’
Her next performance is due to go ahead at the Palladium on Wednesday, her management said. After London, the singer will take her tour to Paris.
Ticketmaster, which sold the tickets, said refunds had been issued and apologised for the inconvenience.
‘I will keep going until I cannot’