Madonna, Beyonce pay tribute to Oprah Winfrey

Los Angeles: Pop divas Madonna and Beyonce alongwith actors Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise and Halle Berry paid tribute to TV mogul Oprah Winfrey on her first farewell talk show.

The singing stars joined the Hollywood biggies for the first part of a double send-off for the hugely influential talk show host - once hailed as "arguably the world`s most powerful woman" by Time magazine. Tom introduced surprise guest Madonna as "a viewer from New York City," saying, "This hard-working mother-of-four says `The Oprah Winfrey Show` means the world to her", reported MTV online. Madonna paid tribute to the host, who is stepping down from the programme after 25 years, adding, "It is no secret that millions of people have been inspired by Oprah and I`m one of those people." Beyonce appeared to give a rendition of her new single, `(Run the World) Girls`, dressed in a tuxedo bodysuit and backed by a huge team of all-female dancers. Mid-song she addressed the host, saying, "Oprah, your persuasion can build a nation. We love you, Oprah. Thank you." PTI