Madonna 'Begs For Forgiveness' After Cancelling Tour

Madonna has begged her Australian fans for understanding and forgiveness over the decision to cancel her planned Australian tour, a move which she has now taken responsibility for.

An Australian leg to her ongoing Live Nation world tour had appeared imminent, before being shut down just days later.

In a recorded audio message to fans she said she is, "Really and truly sorry to have disappointed you, and that's something that I don't feel very good about. I was going to write a letter to everybody but I thought it would be better if I filmed myself and you could hear it from me personally."

She aims to express, "How sorry I am that I'm not going to be able to come to Australia for the tour, I know the last time I was on tour I missed Australia as well and I can promise you in my heart of hearts it was my intention to come again.

"I know a lot of you are angry at me, are upset, are disappointed. I did everything I could, I thought long and hard about it and decided that the best thing to do was to end my seven months on the road."

She also took responsibility for the decision not to come, which some had previously directed at the tour's promoters.

"Because my children are older, I can't take them on the road with me everywhere," she explains. "And at the end of the year I really feel I would be an irresponsible parent if I didn't stop my tour and spend time with them... I hope you can understand and forgive me."

Listen to the letter below: