Queen have officially confirmed that they will play two gigs in London this summer with Adam Lambert.

Drummer Roger Taylor had previously gone on record to unveil their plans to play twice at London's HMV Hammersmith Apollo to make up for the cancellation of Knebworth's Sonisphere Festival, which they were due to headline.

They have now confirmed they will play the venue on July 11 and July 12, with a presale available to Queen fanclub members and also to Sonisphere ticket holders.

A statement reads:

"Queen acted immediately in looking for an alternative venue in an aim to avoid disappointing all those fans who had so desperately looked forward to seeing them at Knebworth. Coming in the lead into the Olympics, most of the venues they first approached were unavailable, being taken as official London Games 2012 venues. As the setting of some of the band's best remembered concerts, the idea of returning to this historic Hammersmith venue really appealed to them."

Roger Taylor added: "We had made up our minds to play in the UK this year, so play we will! Following the collapse of the Sonisphere organisation we didn't want to let down all those people expecting to see us live!"

Adam Lambert meanwhile said: "I'm so thrilled that Queen found a way to ensure that the fans will get to see this event this summer. I can't wait to be in London to perform with Queen for these incredibly special shows!"

General sale for the gigs will begin at 9am on Wednesday April 18, with the presale running 24 hours prior.