A clip of Madonna performing one of the first songs she ever wrote has been published by her biographer.

The recording of 'Born to be a Dancer' was made in New York by Ed Gilroy and his brother, Dan, a former boyfriend of the singer.

Madonna's official biographer Andrew Morton described the recording as “sweet and raw”. He told the Daily Beast: “It signifies to me how far she has come, a reminder of the explosion of talent."

The emergence of the tape follows confirmation last week that Madonna is to divorce her film director husband Guy Ritchie.

The couple's spokeswoman yesterday (October 21st) denied tabloid reports which claimed they had agreed a substantial settlement.

(by Jason Gregory)