M.I.A. giving an obscene gesture during the Super Bowl

London-born singer MIA was at the centre of storm of controversy after millions of Super Bowl fans saw her make an obscene gesture while performing with Madonna during half-time in the American football match last night (Sunday).

The Paper Planes singer’s single finger salute straight to the TV camera, was witnessed by 100m plus viewers of the match- triggering a flood of complaints to broadcaster NBC, and comprehensively up-staging star of the show Madonna in the process.

MIA,36, who was born in Hounslow, was dressed as a cheerleader and accompanying Her Madgesty, 53, when she shocked the American public.

“We apologise for the inappropriate gesture that aired during half-time,” NBC spokesman Christopher McCloskey said.

“It was a spontaneous gesture that our delay system caught late.”

The screen briefly went blurred after MIA’s gesture in what was a late attempt - by less than a second - to cut out the camera shot.

MIA, is best known for her 2006 track Paper Planes, one of the most iconic tracks of the noughties. It was nominated for a Grammy and featured in the Slumdog Millionaire film, by Danny Boyle. But she has struggled to recapture that success, with subsequent efforts failing to spark in the same way.