Led Zeppelin held trial concerts

Jimmy Page / Rex Features

Led Zeppelin have revealed that they held trial concerts in secret before they announced their reunion gig at London's 02 Arena.

Jimmy Page claims that the band were forced to practise their show to check that they were still good enough to play together.

Page told the Mirror: "We wanted to see how well we'd be playing. Once we had played, it was without doubt we wanted to do it."

The guitarist, who was forced to postpone the band's comeback gig until December 10 after fracturing a finger, described the group's practice sessions as "exhilarating".