TIM MCGRAW - CHESNEY STEPS IN FOR TSUNAMI TELETHON

LATEST: KENNY CHESNEY has stepped in to represent country music at this weekend's (15JAN05) Tsunami Telethon after TIM McGRAW was forced to scrap his plans to perform.

McGraw was named among those planning to perform in the live televised benefit but scheduling problems forced him to turn down the chance to join CHRISTINA AGUILERA and SHERYL CROW.

Chesney admits he's delighted he can help the tsunami victims in south east Asia: "You watch this stuff on TV and you look at the pictures in the paper... and you can't even imagine how those families must feel.

"Truly, it is beyond comprehension. So when the people putting this show together called to ask, I didn't even have to think about it. I was like, 'Where do you need me to be?'"

The one-hour programme will also feature COURTENEY COX and GEORGE CLOONEY.