Madonna tells TV millions her adoption story

The pop star also answers claims from the father of 13-month-old David who said he never meant to give up his son for good.

Speaking on the pre-recorded Oprah Winfrey show, to be broadcast in the US later today, the star was said to have appeared emotional.

According to audience members, Madonna said that when she met David - who arrived in Britain last week - he was suffering from malaria, tuberculosis and pneumonia and is still recovering. She also said none of his family had visited him for a year.

Madonna tells how she first saw David in a documentary she funded about the region. He was being held by an eight-year-old girl with HIV. His father gave him up to an orphanage at five weeks because he was unable to care for him when the baby's mother died shortly after his birth.

The star was stung by criticism that she bypassed Malawi law to "buy" a baby by offering £ 1.1million to help orphans in the impoverished African country.

David's father, Yohame, a 32-year-old peasant farmer, now says he only agreed to let Madonna take the child on the assurance from government officials that Madonna would be a temporary carer.

Audience member, Brook Carter, 24, said the 48-year-old star claimed Mr Banda had been manipulated by the media into saying he didn't want to give up his son. She said: "Madonna believes it's the pressure of the media that's prompting the father to change his story."

Sheryl Lewis, who was also in the audience, said Madonna said she had acted according to the law.

The singer tells Oprah Mr Banda can see David whenever he wants and that she will visit Malawi once or twice a year with the child.

Human rights groups are asking a judge in Malawi to review the case, claiming that the law prevents international adoption.