On Saturday she topped the bill at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Maidstone, Kent, but unfortunately it’s not her singing that people are talking about.

During her set Madonna, who turns 50 in August, shouted: “All right, you guys are going to have to start f***ing it up out there ’cos I need to feel some love from you. I need to feel some satisfaction. I’m going to do an old song. But not too old. F*** the present. Let’s live in the past, but not too far back in the past.”

The mum of three also shocked the audience by asking controversial questions about drugs and alcohol.

She asked the 12,000-strong crowd: “How many of you are drunk? Raise your hands. Oh so boring. How many of you are stoned?”

And when cameras returned to presenters Zane Lowe and Edith Bowman in the studio, the hosts quickly issued an apology.

“An incredible performance from Madonna there at Radio 1’s Big Weekend. That said, a quick apology for those people who might have felt the content offensive,” said a clearly embarrassed Zane.

One fan remarked: “It was really unnecessary, there was no need to swear like that on live TV. Her dance routines were shocking, too, as if she were desperate to stay hip and edgy.”

The BBC press office insisted that it is not worried about the outburst. “It was past the watershed so it’s no big deal,” said a spokeswoman.