Madonna told the Yo on E entertainment talk show that the media should leave Britney Spears alone, saying They need to step off.

On the satellite radio show Madonna declared she is a huge fan of Britney Spears, according to interviewer Michael Yo.

For real...Let's go save her, she said, adding that her daughter Lourdes, 11, agrees.

Madonna noted that her daughter doesn't really watch TV or listen to gossip news.

I think she sort of gets the drift of what's going on, and I think she feels very protective of Britney, she said

The singer also spoke about the fickle nature of the pop world.

The nature of pop culture is to get people what they want, if you step outside that and try something different or say something provocative or have strong opinions that are not necessarily popular ones then you will not be necessarily be popular anymore, she said.

In a separate interview yesterday on New York's Z100 radio Madonna added that she listens often to Britney's new album Blackout as she works out, combining Pilates and dance aerobics.

She also mentioned plans to tour this fall however she didn't confirm.

Britney spears