Passes to the hotly anticipated Led Zeppelin reunion concert later are being handed out to thousands of lucky fans amid tight security in London.
Passes to the hotly anticipated Led Zeppelin reunion concert later are being handed out to thousands of lucky fans amid tight security in London.
More than one million people took part in a ballot for just 9,000 pairs of tickets to the show at the O2 arena.
More than one million people took part in a ballot for just 9,000 pairs of tickets for the show at the O2 arena.
The winners have been collecting wristband tickets at the venue.
Excited fan Geoff Jones, who has been queuing at the venue, said: "I have not been able to sleep for days."
In an attempt to beat touts, promoters have told fans to bring photo ID in person to collect their passes, which must not be removed before the gig.
In an attempt to beat touts, promoters have told fans to bring photo ID in person to collect their passes.
They must not be removed before the gig.
"For me it's kind of like that Christmas feeling where you know Santa Claus is coming and you're like a child waiting for the biggest present you've ever waited for in your whole life," Jones added.
Fan queues
Fan queues
But that has not stopped some eBay sellers claiming to have tickets, with some selling for up to £1,800 each.
But that has not stopped some eBay sellers claiming to have tickets, with some selling for up to £1,800 each.
Meanwhile, BBC Radio 2 listener Kenneth Donnell, from Glasgow, has the most expensive tickets - after paying £83,000 for a pair of passes in an auction for Children In Need.
Meanwhile, BBC Radio 2 listener Kenneth Donnell, from Glasgow, has the most expensive tickets - after paying £83,000 for a pair of passes in an auction for Children In Need.
Tickets have been fetching huge sums on eBayThere has been huge demand to get into the one-off gig, which will see Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones perform together for the first time in 19 years.
Tickets have been fetching huge sums on eBayThere has been huge demand to get into the one-off gig, which will see Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones perform together for the first time in 19 years.
Fans have travelled from 70 countries, and some of those who picked up their wristbands on Sunday queued for more than five hours.
Fans have travelled from 70 countries, and some of those who picked up their wristbands on Sunday queued for more than five hours.
Geoff Jones, who has been queuing since Wednesday, said he could not wait.
"For me it's kind of like that Christmas feeling where you know Santa Claus is coming and you're like a child waiting for the biggest present you've ever waited for in your whole life," he said.
"I have not been able to sleep for days," he added.
Fans were told they would not get a pass unless they presented not only the photo ID, but also the credit card they used to book their tickets and the confirmation code they received at the time.
Fans were told they would not get a pass unless they presented not only the photo ID, but also the credit card they used to book their tickets and the confirmation code they received at the time.
Harvey Goldsmith is hoping he has stopped the tickets being touted
Harvey Goldsmith is hoping he has stopped the tickets being touted
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who staged Live Aid and Live 8, said the reunion had probably generated more interest than "any show I've done".
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith, who staged Live Aid and Live 8, said the reunion had probably generated more interest than "any show I've done".
Speaking to BBC News he said: "I'm really pleased because a lot of people are picking their tickets up today.
Speaking to BBC News he said: "I'm really pleased because a lot of people are picking their tickets up today.
"They're given a wristband, which won't come off until the show. It's locked on, just to make sure they don't sell them off.
"They're given a wristband, which won't come off until the show. It's locked on, just to make sure they don't sell them off.
"Unfortunately there is an unscrupulous element about, who are constantly getting tickets and selling them on places like eBay."
"Unfortunately there is an unscrupulous element about, who are constantly getting tickets and selling them on places like eBay."
Fractured finger
Fractured finger
The concert had been postponed from 26 November after guitarist Page fractured a finger.
The concert had been postponed from 26 November after guitarist Page fractured a finger.
The three surviving members of Led Zeppelin will be joined by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham.
The three surviving members of Led Zeppelin will be joined by Jason Bonham, the son of their late drummer John Bonham.
The concert is being held in memory of Ahmet Ertegun, who signed Led Zeppelin to his Atlantic label in 1968, and died last year.
The concert is being held in memory of Ahmet Ertegun, who signed Led Zeppelin to his Atlantic label in 1968, and died last year.
Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Foreigner and Paolo Nutini - all Ertegun signings - will also perform.
Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Foreigner and Paolo Nutini - all Ertegun signings - will also perform.
Are you going to the Led Zeppelin concert? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you going to the Led Zeppelin concert? Send us your comments using the form below.
