Madonna's World Tour Crew Threaten Walkout

Madonna's Sticky & Sweet world tour could be plunged into crisis -- after the pop superstar's crew threatened to quit over budget travel arrangements.

Many of the Material Girl hitmaker's 250-staff were left furious after they were forced to sleep in a $100-a-night airport hotel while Madonna stayed at a $22,000-a-night castle. They were also left reeling after being made to fly to Nice, France, with UK budget airline easyJet while the singer -- who turned 50 in August -- flew in with her family by private jet.

A source says, "Everyone is absolutely furious with her and some of them want to walk out of the tour. They feel they are being treated like second-class citizens, despite all their hard work over the last few months."

Madonna, accompanied by husband Guy Ritchie, 39; daughter Lourdes, 11; and sons Rocco, eight; and two-year-old David, had 12 close staff on hand at the plush castle, including her own chef; six-strong beauty team; chiropractor and masseuse.

She reportedly demanded a helicopter take her the short distance to the stadium for the second night of her tour. Sir Elton John and David Furnish were invited back to the chateau after the gig.

The source added to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, "Trouble has been brewing for a few months in the Madonna camp, especially since all the claims that her marriage was in crisis.

"Now to make matters worse, they are being forced to stay in horrible places and fly on cheap low-cost flights, while she has the lap of luxury. Several are already talking about walking if things don't improve."