LONDON, June 27: A star-studded cast of artists gathered on Friday to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday at a giant concert in London, in support of his global AIDS campaign.

Queen, Razorlight and Annie Lennox were among musicians performing at the gig for the former South African president’s 46664 campaign against HIV/AIDS, to be broadcast around the globe.

Precisely 46,664 tickets — after Mandela’s prison number during his 27-year incarceration for trying to topple South Africa’s apartheid regime — went on sale for the three-and-a-half-hour concert compered by US actor Will Smith.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and US actor Denzel Washington are among those due to attend the concert, which was to kick off at 6:30 pm (1730 GMT).

“We’re particularly honoured that he’ll be celebrating his birthday here in London and that he’s using his birthday to selflessy fundraise and build further support for his exceptional 46664 charity,” said Brown.

“It’s entirely characteristic of a great man.” Other performers on the concert bill include Amy Winehouse, Simple Minds, Josh Groban, Joan Baez, Leona Lewis, the Sugababes, Andrea and Sharon Corr, Eddy Grant, Jamelia, Zucchero, South African artists and the Sudanese “war child” rapper Emmanuel Jal.—AFP