Madonna has been discharged from the hospital and is home and feeling much 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 start 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.

American magazine Forbes lists her as the 45th richest self-made woman in the US with an estimated wealth of $580m (£460m) and says she has earned an estimated $1.2bn from tours.

The singer has received thousands of messages of support online since a statement on her health was made by manager Guy Oseary on Wednesday.

Details of whether the tour will still go ahead are yet to be announced, with Oseary saying: "At this time we need to pause all commitments, which includes the tour,"

"We will share more details with you as soon as we have them, including a new start date for the tour and for rescheduled shows."

Oseary also said in his statement that he expected the singer to make "a full recovery".

Good