PHOTOS: The moment Madonna, 56, falls BACKWARDS down a set of steps after being pulled by dancers at BRIT Awards

 

Karlie Kloss was seen turning to best friend Taylor Swift in the audience with a mortified look as onlookers watched the stage veteran tumble and then battle on with conviction.

Madonna appeared to land on her back with a bang after she fell down a flight of three steps mid-performance. She paused for around a minute where she couldn't muster the strength to sing.

But the singer dusted herself off, brushed over her hair and stood up to ascend the steps once again without her cape. 

 

The veteran was no doubt disappointed by the incident because she was said to be 'desperate to give the performance of her life' as rehearsals piled on the pressure.

A source mentioned that the blonde bombshell was struggling to get through practise shows and was seen using a vaporiser to soothe her vocal cords to ease her vocal cords.

The source continued: ''She is putting all her efforts into putting on a great show. She is working every hour, day and night, to ensure it will be her part of the show that everyone will be talking and tweeting about.'

She was left stunned by the incident but with more than three decades in the business, it didn't appear to affect her performance.

Madonna was making her triumphant return to the BRIT Awards stage after 20 years, when she performed on the annual television show in front of stars including Prince and Oasis.

It had been a much-hyped event by returning presenters Ant & Dec on the night, even managing to overshadow international artists Kanye West and Taylor Swift. 

After the show, Madonna's name was certainly on celebrity viewers' minds - perhaps not for the reason that she would have hoped for though.

She was quick to reassure fans that she was 'fine' in the midst of their concern and even praised the beauty of her specially-designed Armani cape. 

The singer said: 'Armani hooked me up! My beautiful cape was tied too tight. But nothing can stop me and love really lifted me up! Thanks for your good wishes! I'm fine! #livingforlove' 

Stars followed up on social media, full of praise for the star's perseverance after watching her press on - even though she was visibly shaken. 

Extra presenter and former Saved By Bell star Mario Lopez took to Twitter in support of the singer, saying: 'Tell you what though not many artists would continue after that fall. Way to go Madonna for being a trooper & carrying on! #Legend' 

UK soap star Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully in Coronation Street, added: 'All puns aside, Madonna got on with it and showed why she's still on top of her game and also made sure she's the only one on the news #icon'

 

Meanwhile, social media feeds were mainly inundated with posts poking fun at the singer's misfortune as they reflected on her unlucky fall.

It was hosts Ant & Dec who landed the winning joke and jested: 'Ta for all your lovely messages, we really enjoyed it. We're stuck in A&E with @Madonna. Still an hour wait..... #BRITs2015.'

Former Radio 1 DJ Sara Cox also chimed in: 'Madonna was nearly a magonna. What a trouper. Here's @gregjames screaming cos he can see the future.'

Meanwhile, comedian Alan Carr also couldn't resist a jibe, saying: 'That Minotaur that dragged Madonna down the stairs is SO unemployed right now.'

Many Twitter users picked up on the fashion statement Madonna was making with her cape and used a familiar meme from The Incredibles, which quoted Edna Mode when she said 'No capes'.

Gogglebox's Scarlett Moffat, commenting on television as she does best, wrote: 'If we have learnt anything from tonight it's that capes are just not practical evening wear attire #brits #madonna'. 

Madonna's outfit was the brain of her stylist B Akerlund and alongside the cape talking point it featured a sleek leather jacket, custom made by Nicolas Jebran, which was embellished with black crystals and ruby stones as well as an 'M' emblem.

Jebran has previously made a splash on the Brit Awards stage creating Katy Perry's custom neon Cleopatra look for her 2014 Dark Horse performance.

Back in her stride, the costume allowed the Like A Virgin singer to move around the stage freely and she even pulled some of her racier on stage moves - something that could have had tongues wagging if it wasn't for the unfortunate incident.

Her 1995 performance, in comparison, saw a cleaner version of the singer grace the stage in a white, plunging gown as she belted out her hit Bedtime Stories.

That same year, Ant & Dec - who returned to present the BRIT Awards to host after 14 years – were nominated for Best British Breakthrough Act under their stage name PJ & Duncan.

Their one hit song was Let's Get Ready To Rumble, but suffice to say they did not win.