Led Zeppelin have been forced to postpone their reunion concert in London after guitarist Jimmy Page broke his finger.

Doctors have banned the lead guitarist from playing until the fracture heals. Page has refused to say how he broke his finger amid rumours he was involved in an embarrassing incident.

The news is a blow to Led Zeppelin fans who have waited almost 20 years to see the three surviving members play in public.

More than a million applied for the 20,000 tickets for the show on 26 November at the O2.

Robert Plant, John Paul and Page last played together in May 1998 at the 40th anniversary concert for Atlantic Records in New York.

The O2 concert, a tribute to Atlantic's founder Ahmet Ertegun, has now been postponed until 10 December.

Ticketmaster will contact all ticketholders to explain how to get new tickets or a refund. Today a spokesman for promoter Harvey Goldsmith apologised to fans. "I know people will be upset if they can't make the new date but if the lead guitarist in the best rock band in the world can't play guitar it wouldn't be fair on the fans or the band."

The line-up also includes Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, Pete Townshend, Paolo Nutini and Foreigner.