Madonna gives up acting permanently

Madonna has vowed never to star in a movie again, as she fears that her involvement will condemn the movie before it starts.

The pop diva has starred in a string of movies that did not enjoy much commercial success - Shanghai Surprise, Swept Away and Body of Evidence are amongst the more notable flops.

Years of seeing her acting abilities so dismissed have taken their toll on the singer. She explains: "What film can survive people saying it's going to be a bomb from the second it's announced?

"Making movies is such an effort, and to do that over and over again, with the possibility that I am going to get the ... kicked out of me - and they really enjoy doing it - I mean, it doesn't make sense.

"I have sort of let it go."