Stars line up for Mandela celebrations

Stars are lining up in London today for a celebration to marke former South African president Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday…

Stars are lining up in London today for a celebration to marke former South African president Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday.

Performers including Amy Winehouse, Queen and Paul Rodgers and Leona Lewis will take to the stage in London's Hyde Park, playing to a crowd of 46,664 people - the same figure as Mr Mandela's prison number.

Winehouse, whose place in the concert was thrown into doubt when she was treated in hospital just days ago for respiratory problems could be the highlight of the night.

Nelson Mandela pcitured on his arrival in London earlier this week
Nelson Mandela pcitured on his arrival in London earlier this week

She is being tipped to be performing a version of the song Free Nelson Mandela,with its composer Jerry Dammers.

Dammers was one of the organisers of Artists Against Apartheid and Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday concert which took place in London 20 years ago.

Dignitaries and celebrities from around the world have been in London this week to help Mr Mandela celebrate his milestone, which he reaches on July 18th.

A fundraising dinner in London on Wednesday was attended by former US president Bill Clinton, British prime minister Gordon Brown along with Bob Geldof, US TV host Oprah Winfrey and actors Robert De Niro and Will Smith.

Mr Mandela officially retired from politics nine years ago, but despite his age and ill health he has continued to campaign around the world for peace and an end to poverty.

Proceeds from the three and-a-half hour concert will benefit Mr Mandela's HIV Aids charity 46664 which he founded in 2002.

Amy Winehouse is being tipped to be performing a version of the song ‘Free Nelson Mandela’
Amy Winehouse is being tipped to be performing a version of the song ‘Free Nelson Mandela’

Meanwhile, all eyes were on the skies over southern England as the Glastonbury Festival kicked off under dark grey clouds.

Overnight showers had thousands of revelers worried about a repeat of last year's washout.

The number of music lovers at the Somerset site is set to swell to just under 180,000 today - and founder Michael Eavis hopes his event will finally sell out.

Despite the overnight rainfall, forecasters have predicted a fairly settled Weekend, which Mr Eavis hopes will spur on the final sale of 200 remaining tickets.

By mid-morning the infamous Glastonbury and the queues for wellingtons started to grow.

But the weather is set to remain fairly calm with only occasional light showers and drizzle predicted.