Shirley Bassey to miss Mandela concert in London

LONDON (Reuters) - Welsh-born singer Shirley Bassey has pulled out of Friday's London concert to celebrate former South African President Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday.

The 71-year-old, best known for her James Bond movie theme songs "Goldfinger" and "Diamonds Are Forever," underwent emergency surgery on her stomach in May and was advised by doctors not to travel to London from her home in Monaco.

"On the advice of her surgeon, Dame Shirley Bassey will now not be able to perform as scheduled at the Nelson Mandela 46664 concert," said her spokesman.

"The dame is hugely disappointed and was looking forward to the show immensely. Dame Shirley has been advised not to travel at the present time, so as to aid her continued full recovery following surgery last month."

The concert, in London's Hyde Park, is expected to feature acts including Queen, Leona Lewis, Annie Lennox, Simple Minds and Razorlight.

Proceeds from the concert will go to the 46664 global campaign against HIV/AIDS, named after Mandela's prison number.

Reuters/Nielsen