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7 September 2017 2:29 AM

Madonna performs ‘Like a Prayer’ for World AIDS Day as tour hits London

By Will Stroude

Finally, it’s the week we’ve been waiting for: Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour has officially rolled into town – and the First Lady of pop put on yet another stellar show as she wowed the audience at London’s O2 arena last night (December 1).

madonna

She might have been returning to the scene of February’s infamous fall at the BRITs, but the legendary entertainer certainly didn’t seem fazed by any memories of that mishap.

“It’s so good to be back. Right back here where I belong,” the Living for Love singer told crowds, who showed their appreciation with a huge cheer as her cape was successfully jettisoned this time around.

The 57-year-old also broke from her usual Rebel Heart set list to mark World AIDS Days with a rare performance of ‘Like a Prayer’, and paid an emotional tribute to friends she had lost from the virus.

“It’s important to remember that we still haven’t found a cure for AIDS. But we have found a way to keep people alive and healthy, and that is because so many amazing people for more than three decades have been doing amazing work to make that magic happen,” she told the audience.

“Please bear with me, because I feel like I should acknowledge not only the dearest, greatest, most amazing and lovely friends of mine who died of AIDS so many years ago, who still do. The entire family of my adopted son who died of AIDS – it’s not a disease that’s gone away and we need to remember that.

“So lets give thanks to people who continue to fight to find a cure for this disease, and lets acknowledge the people who have passed, who’ve fought to raise awareness.

“We shall overcome, one day.”

Elsewhere in the night, the legendary Graham Norton filled the celebrity cameo slot previously tackled by the likes of Katy Perry and Rita Ora, and the BBC presenter showed off some mightily impressive moves of his own as he joined Madge onstage for a performance of ‘Unapologetic Bitch’.

She may have described last night’s show as “magic”, but there’ll surely be even more to look forward to as Ms. Ciccone plays the second of her O2 gigs tonight (December 2), before bringing the show to Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow later in the month.

Madonna, it’s good to have to back.

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