Madonna is planning to hire the Large Theatre at Pompeii for her birthday celebrations. The singer/songwriter will turn 66 on Friday and is reportedly planning to throw a bash at the 2,200-year-old amphitheatre in the Roman town that was smothered in volcanic ash and pumice when ­Vesuvius erupted in AD 79.

La Repubblica quoted Carmine Lo Sapio, mayor of Pompeii, saying he had been contacted about the event and said: “We are ready to welcome the singer,” whilst her Italian fan club said in a Facebook post they were “preparing” for her arrival .