Madonna world tour 'sets record'

Madonna hoped to 'turn the world into one big dancefloor'

Madonna's Confessions tour has become the highest-earning show by a female artist, says US magazine Billboard.

Figures are yet to be finalised, but tour manager Arthur Fogel claims 1.2 million people attended 60 shows, making $193.7m (£102.3m).

The four-month tour, which began in LA in May, ends in Tokyo on Thursday.

The previous record was set by Cher's Farewell tour. The three-year tour, which ran between 2002 and 2005, made $192.5m (£101.6m) across 273 shows.

Ticket sales

The Confessions on a Dancefloor tour, named after Madonna's number one album, included shows across major US cities, Canada, Europe and Japan.

Rapid ticket sales prompted the 48-year-old star to add extra dates in several cities, including five additional dates at London's Wembley Arena, where tickets cost between £80 and £160.

Despite criticism over a controversial mock crucifixion featured in the stage show, and threats of prosecution, the tour has proved Madonna's most financially successful to date.

The Material Girl's last tour, Re-Invention, in 2004, saw her play 56 shows worldwide, making $125m (£71m), according to Billboard magazine.

The 2001 Drowned World tour reportedly earned $75m (£39.5m).

Billboard claim the singer has earned $400m (£211.2m) in tour ticket sales over six years.