Madonna denies being drunk on stage

Madonna has shot down reports suggesting she took to the stage drunk at her show in Kentucky, insisting she would "never drink and perform".

The pop superstar reportedly started her gig in Louisville three-hours late, and several fans took to social media to accuse the singer of forgetting her lyrics and acting "drunk" during the performance.

However, the Ray of Light star is adamant she was not boozing before the show, writing in a post on Instagram, "For those people who like to believe all they read I never drink and perform!!! My show is 2 hours and 15 minutes of non-stop singing and dancing."

Madonna goes on to explain she made a joke during the Louisville show which she fears fans may have misinterpreted.

View this post on Instagram

Working on my stand up laying down. Good practice!!! 👍🏻Thanks Louisville! 😂 the tears of a clown soon to follow the ❤️#rebelheartour and for those people who like to believe all they read i never drink and perform!!! My show is 2 hours and 15 minutes of non stop singing and dancing. In Louisville I made a joke about doing a stand comedy act dressed as a clown and being able to drink alcohol. Its so very interesting how society continues to not only treat me in a totally sexist way (if i a were a man no one would have said a thing) and also continue to take everything i say literally!Thats what happens when people don't read books and get all information from TMZ.

A post shared by Madonna (@madonna) on Jan 17, 2016 at 12:12am PST

"In Louisville I made a joke about doing a stand (up) comedy act dressed as a clown and being able to drink alcohol," she adds. "Its (sic) so very interesting how society continues to not only treat me in a totally sexist way (if I a were a man no one would have said a thing) and also continue to take everything I say literally! Thats (sic) what happens when people don't read books and get all information from (website) TMZ."

Macauley Miller, said on twitter the concert was one of the "weirdest experiences" of his life.

"I'm pretty sure Madonna is hammered drunk on stage," he wrote.

In one conversation caught on video and uploaded to YouTube, Madonna is heard apologising for confusing Louisville for Oklahoma.

"Maybe someone slipped some bourbon into my throat coat tea or something?" she says.

"I'm mixing everything up. My choreography, my words, I put my skirt on backwards, forgot to zip my shoe. I don't even know who I am."

But some fans lapped up the antics, saying Madonna was quite funny.

Madonna herself seemed to be on the same page, posting a photo on her Instagram of her laying down on stage, with the caption "Working on my stand up laying down. Thanks Louisville! The tears of a clown soon to follow."

Madonna is currently on her Rebel Heart world tour and will be in New Zealand in March.

- WENN