Williams, Houston for Jackson O2 slots?

Robbie Williams and Whitney Houston will both play the O2 in 2010 to fill the dates of Michael Jackson's cancelled London residency, it has been claimed.

Both artists will perform at the venue to promote their comeback albums, the Evening Standard reports.

An AEG source said: "Robbie's eagerly-awaited album will be out soon and he is likely to be touring Europe next year. It will be perfect for him to start with shows at the O2.

"Whitney Houston has been on the O2 arena wish-list for a while - she has the voice and hits to sell the arena out several times over."

The artists will reportedly fill some of the 23 slots left vacant by Jackson's death days before the planned start of his 'This Is It' residency.