The Rolling Stones confirm new tour dates

The Rolling Stones today confirmed their first live shows for five years with four gigs, including two nights in London.

There had been speculation for weeks that the group would announce shows in London and the east coast of the US to mark their 50th anniversary year.

Frontman Sir Mick Jagger told Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans this morning that the band would play a small number of shows this year before a longer series of dates.

In a video message the group said: "Soon we'll be back on stage playing for you in two cities that know how to rock and roll."

And the group went on to confirm online they would play a pair of shows at London's O2 Arena, as well as two concerts at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey.

The London shows take place on November 25 and 29, while the New Jersey shows are lined up for December 13 and 15.

And Sir Mick added: "Maybe a few friends joining us."

The Stones last played live during their A Bigger Bang tour which wound up in 2007.

The announcement was not a huge surprise for fans. One US music website reported six weeks ago that the band were lining up four live dates.

And one ticketing website emailed subscribers last month with March dates earmarked for O2 performances by the band, although the Stones' publicists said at the time no concerts had been confirmed for this year or next year.

The group have recorded two new songs - Doom And Gloom and One More Shot - which will be included in a repackaged greatest hits collection called Grrr!, which is to be released on November 12.

Sir Mick, who called the Radio 2 breakfast show, suggested this morning that the announced dates would be a teaser for a full series of shows.

"It's not going to be a long tour, the first bit anyway. It's going to be a few gigs," he said.

Speaking of the sessions for the new songs, Sir Mick told Evans: "It was a very quick recording session."

There have also been rumours the Stones are being lined up to play Glastonbury Festival next year.

PA