THE WHO - ROGER DALTREY GETS ROCK GREATS FOR CHARITY CONCERT

THE WHO singer ROGER DALTREY has put together a staggering line-up of rock acts for a week of charity concerts - and admits he was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response.

The veteran rocker, 59, has hired out London's ROYAL ALBERT HALL for six nights starting tonight (24MAR03) with COLDPLAY and RICHARD HAWLEY.

Other acts set to play include guitar legend ERIC CLAPTON, ex-VERVE singer RICHARD ASHCROFT, SUPERGRASS, ASH, MADNESS and ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION.

But Roger admits that it wasn't all plain sailing. He says, "I had so many sleepless nights.

"For a while I was stuck for a big hitter. ELTON JOHN would have loved to do it, but he's on tour. He said, 'Give Eric Clapton a call.'

"Eric checked his band's availability, got back to me in an hour and said he was on and they wouldn't need to rehearse. My heart was pounding so much, I'd forgotten to ask him how long he was going to play."

Soon enough, a handful of top acts had confirmed much to Roger's relief.

He says, "Each time I got someone, I was leaping around."

All proceeds from the concerts go to THE TEENAGE CANCER TRUST, a charity Roger has been involved with for the last three years.