Madonna sets new record

Madonna will set a new record as the highest earning female touring artist ever when she finishes her 'Confessions' world jaunt tonight (September 21).

The singer will pull in $193.7 million (£102.3 million) following her Tokyo Dome show.

The figure tops Cher's previous record of $192.5 million (£101.5 million) which she set during her 273-date Farewell tour between June 2002 and April 2005, reports Billboard.

However unlike U2 and the , who tend to mount large global jaunts, Madonna's 'Confessions' tour only included 60 shows across a limited number of countries.

Almost 1.2 million people have attended her gigs across the world.

The singer continued the same trend started on her previous Re-Invention tour two years ago and the Drowned World tour in 2001, which between them, pulled in $200 million (£105.5 million).

The 'Confessions' tour has attracted controversy across the globe, with church leaders slamming Madonna's stage appearance on a cross.