Madonna has successfully applied for a delay in the formal adoption of Malawian baby  David Banda.

The singer was expected to arrive in the African country next week following the news she will supported by the Malawian authorities, with social workers describing Madonna as a “wonderful mum”.

However, due to a previous engagement in America Madonna has now put back her visit for the final hearing to the end of this month.

The formal adoption of two-year-old David, who has lived with Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie since 2006, is expected to be formalised in the country’s High Court then.