Image source, Reuters Image caption,

Madonna, pictured in 2016, was due to tour the world over a seven-month period

By Annabel Rackham and Helen Bushby

Entertainment reporters

Madonna has been discharged from hospital and is home and feeling better after an intensive care stay, the BBC understands.

News of her ill health was shared by her manager, who said she had suffered a "serious bacterial infection".

The 64-year-old was due to begin a seven-month world tour in the coming weeks, but has had to postpone it.

She was taken to her New York home in a private ambulance,a source told CNN, adding: "She's in the clear."

Madonna, who is very private about health matters, was in the final stages of rehearsals ahead of her extensive world tour.

The Celebration tour was due to begin in Canada in two weeks' time, before visiting 45 cities across the world.

It was due to be her 12th tour, marking 40 years of involvement in the music industry.