The internet and, more specifically, social media went into overdrive this week and the trigger was Madonna's now infamous tumble at the Brits.
We will all have made plenty of embarrassing mistakes in our time but are fortunate that they stay between friends and family; unlike those made by celebrities. For those of you who didn't watch the Brit Awards last week I'll bring you up to speed: Madonna, performing the finale, entered wearing a cape so long it had to be carried by three dancers. It was obvious that she would, at some point, be stripping down to a more minimal and typical Madonna style outfit and this was where the problem arose. As she attempted to emerge from the cloak with an intended dramatic step onto stage she instead found herself being pulled backwards by her neck down the steps. The cape was still attached as the dancers followed their cue to remove the garment. Madonna, ever the consummate professional, picked herself up and continued the show in style.
A few years ago I suffered a very similar embarrassment on live TV. I was performing on the Sport Relief program Let's Dance as none other than Madonna in her seminal hit video ‘Vogue’. I waited nervously listening for my cue from the intro music as the curtains drew back and to start with all I had to do was take a few steps into position. I can still feel my face burning red now as I remember that feeling of tripping and seeing the ground speeding closer towards my face. The adrenaline kicked in and I rescued myself in the nick of time. It didn't slip past my friends who were watching every detail but I think the general audience was too polite to point it out which spared my blushes.
