ERIC CLAPTON - CLAPTON AGREED TO CREAM REUNION OVER AGE CONCERNS

Veteran rocker ERIC CLAPTON only agreed to reform supergroup CREAM when he realised it might be the last time the three-piece play together.

Guitarist Clapton, bassist JACK BRUCE and drummer GINGER BAKER split up in 1968, but are now reuniting for a series of concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall in May (05).

And 59-year-old superstar Clapton wanted to make sure he teamed up with his bandmates one more time, fearing otherwise he'd miss out on the opportunity.

He says, "It's something I've been thinking about for a couple of years now.

"We're all getting on a bit and I wanted to do it before it was too late and while we still have the energy.

"We're not going to do any more than about four shows, but it will be a great thing just to see if we've got it in us to get back to where we were."