[Shaun]

Madonna is to perform during the interval at next year's Super Bowl, it has been confirmed.

The 53-year-old singer will take to the stage at the game on Sunday 5 February at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Her performance is expected to coincide with the release of her 12th studio album and she will collaborate with a team from Cirque du Soleil.

Last year Black Eyed Peas performed during the half-time break.

Broadcast around the world, more than 162 million viewers tuned into last year's half-time entertainment.

Other artists who've played the prestigious slot include Prince, the Rolling Stones and U2.

In 2004, the CBS TV network was fined after pop star Janet Jackson had what was called a "wardrobe malfunction".

The singer exposed her right breast during a dance routine with Justin Timberlake.

Madonna's last album Hard Candy was released in 2008.

Following a world tour she has directed a film, W.E., which is to be released in the UK in January 2012.

Her new album will be her first album since parting ways with record label Warner Brothers.

She has now signed a new deal with entertainment firm Live Nation.

Last month Madonna's manager said the singer was "very upset" that a demo version of her new single, Give Me All Your Love, had leaked online months ahead of release.

Guy Oseary tweeted to say material from the star's new album was not supposed to be released until 2012.

"Madonna told me this morning 'my true fans wouldn't do this'. Whoever is responsible for this leak, we ask that you please stop," he wrote.

significant improvement (but then again, James Morrison would be a significant improvement on the BEP fiasco)