“I guess you really can’t teach an old pop star new tricks,�? he said. “Poor Madonna keeps trying to shock. But all she succeeds in doing is coming across as a boring bigot.�?

The Church of England is also furious with the stunt, accusing Madonna of abusing religious imagery.

A Church spokesperson says: "Is Madonna prepared to take on everything else that goes with wearing a crown of thorns?

"And why would someone with so much talent seem to feel the need to promote herself by offending so many people?"

David Muir of the Evangelical Alliance told the Evening Standard: "It is downright offensive. Madonna's use of Christian imagery is an abuse and it is dangerous.

"The Christian reaction to this sort of thing tends to be tempered but if the same thing was done with the imagery and iconography of other faiths the reaction woulld be very different."

The “Confessions�? tour continues through Sept. 4 with dates throughout North America and Europe.

Here are a few rewiews

Attempts at social commentary were undermined by the over-the-top delivery. Stark footage of poverty-stricken African children coupled with disturbing statistics should have been a compelling companion to the soul-searching ballad "Live to Tell," but then Madonna appeared in faux crucifixion on a lit-up cross, marring a serious message writes reuters

So it was bondage - the traducing of religious imagery. Overt displays of sexuality - male dancers trussed up like horses etc etc writes Daily Mail UK

Despite some of the highest ticket prices ever for a pop concert, the gig was a sell-out.

At 47, Madonna performed with the agility and vigour of someone half her age @ BBC

Images Madonnalicious.com