4:02pm UK, Tuesday March 19, 2002

Madonna has bewildered the makers of the forthcoming James Bond film after pulling out of the movie.

She allegedly agreed to sing the movie's theme tune in return for a cameo appearance.

After giving in to her demands, MGM was shocked when she pulled out.

madonna_sp

Madonna snubs Bond

The star said filming clashed with her West End debut, Up For Grabs.

Madonna's latest role in husband Guy Ritchie's film, Love, Sex, Drugs and Money, is understood to have shocked test audiences.

Gadget-meister

They criticised it for violence against women - in particular Madonna's character.

The latest Bond flick will see Pierce Brosnan return as the superspy.

Halle Berry will play a character named Jinx and John Cleese will play gadget-meister R - replacing the late Q, Desmond Llewelyn.

Judi Dench also returns as Bond's boss, M.