In a career built on publicity-seeking moves, Madonna has made another bid for attention by announcing plans to give Vodafone customers access to her latest album before it goes on sale.

The Material Girl, who turns 50 this year, will release one song a day from Hard Candy, her eighteenth full-length album, in the week leading up to its retail release on April 28.

Seven of the eleven tracks will be available for Vodafone customers to buy for about 99p each. They can be downloaded for 24 hours before being replaced by the next track.

The mobile operator's customers in ten countries, including the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Belgium, will also be able to buy

4 Minutes, Madonna's new single, for 75p immediately. The Timbaland production features Justin Timberlake.

John Reid, Warner Music Europe president, said: “Vodafone's enormous platform will bring enormous marketing power. Madonna is one of a few artists with worldwide appeal and we expect these to sell well.

“This is an innovative way to reach millions of Madonna fans around the world, building anticipation and excitement around this landmark release and helping to create a real event for Vodafone customers.”

The decision follows a similar move by Timbaland, an artist as well as a renowned R&B producer, in the United States last month. He became the first artist to release an album exclusively via mobile on the Verizon network.

Previously concerned that iTunes would mean the demise of the album, Madonna relented to the power of Apple's online music store only last year. In 2006, a ringtone of Hung Up became the best-selling in 29 countries when it was released a month before the song went on sale in stores.

News of Madonna's latest album release came as she faced press speculation in the past week about her marriage.

Reports of a split between Guy Ritchie and Madonna have come as the film director failed to make an appearance at the singer's induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“I am delighted to confirm that Mr and Mrs Guy Ritchie remain happily married,” Liz Rosenberg, Madonna's spokeswoman, said yesterday.

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