HOWZAT

Dame Shirley Bassey was forced to pull out of the concert following her emergency stomach surgery.

The 71-year-old singer, who lives in Monaco, was advised by doctors not to travel following the operation in May.

And it was revealed earlier this week that Naomi Campbell had been dropped from appearing at the concert over her air rage conviction.

The former South African President was said to have had a say in the decision.

Campbell, 38, who calls Mandela her "grandfather", was on a list of celebrities who could be approached to introduce acts at the concert.

But the supermodel was removed from the list following her arrest at Heathrow, when she was wearing a baseball cap with 46664 on it.

Mr Mandela spent 27 years in jail for his role leading the campaign against apartheid in South Africa before being elected president in 1994.

He 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.

Also joining the celebrations are multi-million selling classical pop singer Josh Groban and folk rock singer Joan Baez.

The concert also boasts Annie Lennox, Simple Minds, Sugababes and Razorlight, along with a host of of Africa's most highly-regarded artists including Johnny Clegg, Soweto Gospel Choir and Papa Wemba.

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

"The 46664 message is one that needs to be heard in every corner of the world," said a spokesman for 46664.

"These artists between them reach into every one of our communities - upholding Mr Mandela's message that HIV AIDS is not a local issue, but a universal one."

Groban is an Ambassador for Nelson Mandela's 46664 organisation, appointed by Mr Mandela when the two met in South Africa in 2004.

Inspired by that meeting, Groban established the Josh Groban Foundation to help children in South Africa through education, healthcare and Arts.

His 2007 Noel Christmas album featured the African Children's Choir.

On Wednesday, Mr Mandela condemned the "tragic failure of leadership" in Zimbabwe.

His intervention followed criticism of the former South African President for failing to speak out against Robert Mugabe.

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