Paul McCartney confirms O2 Christmas show

It will be Sir Paul's first UK appearance since he played in his hometown of Liverpool last year and demand for tickets is bound to be high.

The 67-year-old has previous form in Greenwich, having used the old Millennium Dome to rehearse for his 2004 tour. The rehearsals were meant to be secret but became public knowledge when a resident across the river complained about the noise.

Sir Paul is looking forward to the shows, which will visit Hamburg, Berlin, Arnhem, Paris, Cologne and Dublin before arriving at The O2.

He said: "This is my chance to bring our current show home to where it all began. Starting in Hamburg, ending in London and rocking everywhere in between. I'm very much looking forward to ending the year on a high."

Tickets go on sale on Monday from theo2.co.uk or by calling 0844 856 0202.

Also set to announce gigs at The O2 are US rockers Bon Jovi. The band, who opened the venue in June 2007, are planning a residency at the arena next summer.