The 48-year-old singer and her husband, Guy Ritchie, have come under increasing pressure after one-year-old David Banda's natural father, Yohane, claimed he had not understood the process and now wanted his son to return.

Madonna is expected to fly out to the US today but it is unlikely that little David will travel with her.

The TV interview had already been planned to coincide with the launch of a new children's book by Madonna. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Malawian Ministry of Women and Child Development yesterday said they had explained every detail of the process to Mr Banda.

"Madonna herself explained her intentions to the judge in Banda's presence," said a spokesman.

"He was asked several times in court if he understood what was going on and said he did."