Sitting on a diamante “M” throne in a fringed black leotard and over-the-knee leather boots, Madonna kicked off her Sticky and Sweet tour Saturday night at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in Wales, opening with “Candy Shop.”

The 40,000-strong audience was in for a night of treats, including onscreen appearances by Kanye West, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, who dueted on “4 Minutes.”

The image of rapper West encircled the stage for “Beat Goes On” as fans screamed and Madonna cruised through on a white vintage convertible car.

Spears made her virtual guest spot during “Human Nature,” writhing while trapped in an elevator as Madonna played the guitar. The popster departed with her trademark line “It’s Britney B–!”

Madonna switched themes multiple times, going sporty for “Into the Groove” in diamante-encrusted shorts and a hoodie, and invoking the Far East for a segment that had her in a cage with computer-generated water gushing around it. “La Isla Bonita” turned the stage into a Mediterranean street party with Greek dancing and a flamenco solo performance.

While fans went wild, husband Guy Ritchie was lending support backstage, according to the singer’s rep, who also said Madonna had spent the day rehearsing. “She’s been putting the finishing touches to some of the dance routines today, in a good way, she’s a perfectionist!”

The 50-year-old singer pulled out all the stops, even using a video interlude to send a political message with images of peace campaigners, Al Gore, Bono and Barack Obama mixed with scenes of war-torn continents and poverty.

Religious messages flashed on the screens behind her for a remixed house version of “Like a Prayer,” which was met with mass cheers.

At one point the singer shouted to the crowd, “This is the bit where I take requests,” and started singing “Express Yourself” – then changed her mind. “F– that s–. I choose the songs.”

After two hours, Madonna left the stage as the screen flashed “Game Over.”

The singer heads back to London before traveling to France to continue the tour around Europe before arriving in New Jersey on Oct. 4.

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WENN

The London pub part-owned by Madonna and Guy Ritchie has been cleared of price fixing.

The Hollywood couple bought shares worth $5 million in The Punchbowl - just around the corner from their west London home - in February.

But the landlord has been accused of having two different price lists for drinks - one for locals and another for tourists.

However, a spokesman for the pub denies unfair pricing strategies.

He says, “Every pub has to change their prices and this came in the middle of the change.”

Westminster council have investigated and confirm a fixed price list is now on display.

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WENN

Madonna was left disappointed after her 50th birthday celebrations on Saturday when several of her guests failed to turn up.

The Holiday hitmaker hosted a lavish party at the exclusive Volstead nightclub in London’s West End.

It was attended by many of the star’s family and friends - but Madonna was allegedly upset about the no-shows.

She reportedly told guests, “I’m really disappointed. There are a lot of people who are not here tonight, but thanks to everyone who did make it.”

The singer’s daughter, Lourdes, played a song from hit musical Fame on a grand piano at the club and husband Guy Ritchie presented the pop star with $500,000 worth of jewelry.

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WENN

Guy Ritchie dispelled rumors his marriage to pop superstar Madonna is in trouble during a speech at her 50th birthday party on Saturday.

The film director also paid tribute to the singer’s career during the speech at the exclusive Volstead nightclub in London’s West End.

He told the 90 guests: “She looks better now than she ever has done. I’m so proud. I love her so much.”

Madonna also gave a 40 minute speech. She said, “I can’t believe I have reached half a century. It only happens once and this is an evening I’m glad to be sharing with you.”

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WENN

Despite sporting a bandage on her ankle (the result of a reported sprain) Madonna isn’t slowing down. On Aug. 16, the Material Girl will celebrate her 50th birthday and in the following weeks she will head out on her Sticky & Sweet Tour.

But don’t expect this performer to hand out freebies to her friends! Madonna, who reportedly earned $72 million last year, is telling friends she’s happy to sell seats but no freeloaders allowed!

“She’s a businesswoman and sees her shows as work, not a party for all of her friends,” a tour insider tells OK!. “She doesn’t think having celebrities in the front seats makes her cool.”

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WENN

Oh Mercy!

Madonna’s spokeswoman has shot down British newspaper reports that she is “on the very cusp” of adopting a second child from poverty-stricken Malawi.

The 3-year-old girl’s name, according to the Sun: Mercy James.

“Madonna’s representatives have been visiting the girl. The adoption is now advanced” the newspaper quotes Malawian adoption minister Penstone Kilembe as saying today. “Then Mercy will be able to leave the country for a new life.”

Simply not true, says Madge’s longtime flack Liz Rosenberg.

“I don’t know how official the Malawian offical can be because there are no plans for Madonna to adopt another child from Malawi,” Rosenberg told the Daily News. “She is getting ready to start her tour in l0 days.”

Madonna turns 50 Saturday and is kicking off a world tour the following week. She be in New York in early October and sold out three shows at Madison Square Garden.

Rosenberg said she found the new adoption reports in the Sun, and another in the Daily Mail, baffling.

“I heard this same rumor a year ago. I don’t know why it’s back because it simply isn’t true,” the spokeswoman said.

Madonna took home little David Banda from Malawi in 2006 - and the adoption was okayed in May. She has funded several day care centers and orphanages for the impoverished African nation.

The singer and director husband Guy Ritchie have two other children: Lourdes, from her relationship with trainer Carlos Leon, and Rocco.

The Sun and The Mirror both reported that Madonna decided to go ahead with the adoption after she and Ritchie patched things up in their marriage.

Madonna had been romantically linked with Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez earlier this summer when his marriage fell apart.

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WENN

Madonna has renewed an attempt to adopt a two-year-old girl from Malawi - despite learning her family are “not interested”.

The pop superstar is keen to re-home Mercy James who currently resides in the same African country from where she adopted her son David Banda.

It is believed the singer plans to give the child back to her family when she is six. But the family have turned down her offer.

The child’s grandmother, Anaphiri Ngalande, says, “When Mercy is no longer a baby we want her back. I don’t want the money they said they’d give me.”

It is the second time Madonna has tried to adopt the child. Last year, the tot’s uncle John blocked an attempt made by her aides.

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WENN