ROCK legends The Who took to the stage for what may have been the last time in the North-East tonight.

Original members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, who previously said that at 70 and 69 respectively they are getting too old for life on the road, delighted fans at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena.

Half a century after forming, and with two members lost, The Who Hits 50 tour has been described by Daltrey as "the beginning of the long goodbye".

It could mean that the gig will be the last time the musicians, who famously sang ‘hope I die before I get old’, perform live in the region.

The band has sold more than 100 million records, with Daltrey and Townshend carrying on after the deaths of Keith Moon in 1978 and John Entwistle in 2002.

These days, Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr’s son Zak Starkey plays drums with The Who, Pino Palladino is on bass with the keyboards being provided by ex Style Council and Dexys sideman Mick Talbot.

Nichola McKenna, marketing and commercial manager at Metro Radio Arena, said: “The Who have been to the Metro Radio Arena on four occasions including tonight’s gig, playing to a capacity audience each time.

“After 50 years in the music industry they have said this tour is the beginning of the long goodbye.

“But we, and I’m sure their North-East fans, who always give them a fantastic welcome, would love to see them back at the Metro Radio Arena again in the future.”