Madonna 'nervous' about London shows

Host Graham Norton with (seated left to right) Sir Ian McKellen, Madonna, Danny Boyle, Lily James, and Himesh Patel during the filming for the Graham Norton Show at BBC Studioworks 6 Television Centre, Wood Lane, London, to be aired on BBC One on Friday evening. (Photo by Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images)
Madonna sharing the Graham Norton couch with Sir Ian McKellen, Danny Boyle, Lily James, and Himesh Patel. (Photo by Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images)

There are plenty of stories swirling around about Madonna at the moment. She’s moved to Lisbon to be a soccer mom, she’s wearing an eye patch because her new persona used to be a spy (yes really), her kids wish she wasn’t, well, Madonna.

Read more: Madonna explains the meaning behind her eye patch, but fans aren't into it

But it was her recent revealing comments about her upcoming shows in London that may say the most about the pop icon’s current change of direction.

“It’s going to be very theatrical and very intimate - I’m nervous,” Madonna admitted on the Graham Norton Show this week. She was talking about her upcoming residency (a word she does not like) at the London Palladium.

The presenter was quick to draw attention to the location. “That’s like an insanely small venue for you.” She then went on to explain why.

“I like this because I can see everybody and you can see me,” she said. “I can look into everyone’s eyes. We can have an exchange. I can’t have that in a stadium or a sports arena. I want something different.”

Read more: Madonna announces UK tour dates

This may come as a surprise to fans of the queen of pop, as she is known for her elaborate stadium shows.

Looking back and remembering becoming famous, she talked about the moment when she knew her life was never going to be the same again. “I kind of missed out the bus tour.”

Madonna’ notoriously dry humour was on display on the night, as she candidly opened up to Graham Norton. But some viewers weren’t on board, taking to social media to complain that she was rude to Sir Ian McKellen, when he joined her on the red couch.

What did come through was Norton’s sense of fun with the star, as they exchanged banter.

“I’m not old, you’re old,” she quipped. To which he agreed, “I am old”. (He’s 56 to her 60). Madonna later asked Norton to show how excited he was about having her on the show.

“What do you want? Do you want me to get erection? For you I probably could,” he shot back.

Her new album Madame X is out now.