Rihanna has overcome a YouTube ban on her new video by posting it on her official website.

The singer's video for 'S&M', which includes sexually provocative scenes, has been deemed “inappropriate” by the video-sharing website for viewers aged under 18.

But in a message on her Twitter page, Rihanna posted a link to rihannanow.com and said fans could watch the video “unflagged”.

The video for 'S&M', which debuted earlier this week, has also been banned in several countries, while other broadcasters have vowed to only show it at more adult-friendly times of the day.

The track is the latest single to be taken from Rihanna's chart-topping album 'Loud'. The singer is due to embark on a UK tour in support of the album later this year.

(by Jason Gregory)