Pavarotti to retire in 2005

Pavarotti (centre) sings with the Three Tenors on Thursday

Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti has finally announced he is to retire on his 70th birthday on 12 October 2005, following speculation that he wanted to end his singing career.

Pavarotti, 66, made the announcement to CNN TV on Tuesday, in what was believed to be the first time the opera star has publicly discussed the date of his own retirement.

The most popular artist in the history of the classical recording industry, Pavarotti recently cancelled a number of engagements, including an appearance at New York's Metropolitan Opera House.

He has recently scaled back performances

And he joked that after that date, "I never sing even in the bathroom, not even when I'm taking a shower".

He also said he is planning to marry Nicoletta Mantovani, 32, his companion of six years, and added the couple is thinking about having children - "one or two or 10".

"I proposed to her several years ago," he said. "She says yes. And she still say yes - I think she's a masochist."

Pavarotti's 34-year marriage to his wife, Adua, ended after photographs of him with Ms Mantovani were published.

His three daughters from his marriage are all older than his fiancée.

He was to sing in Tosca In New York when he cancelled

Referring to criticism for pulling out of what was rumoured to be his last appearance at the New York Met on 11 May, Pavarotti said he had been ill with laryngitis and could not talk.

"It's stupid, absolutely stupid, to make such a big fuss," he said.

Pavarotti also spoke about the loss of his mother and father, both of whom died this year.

"They stayed 74 years together," he said.

"It is such a beautiful memory. It is not sad.

"Every time I'm thinking about them - I don't cry, I smile."

And the imposing tenor also admitted to taking action over his weight, after undergoing hip and knee surgery.

But he said he was dieting, "not starving".

Pavarotti will appear with fellow tenors José Carreras and Placido Domingo at a World Cup concert at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama on Thursday - three days before the competition final.

The Three Tenors have said this will be the last of their joint World Cup concerts, which started 12 years ago in Rome.