A RED-FACED nightclub boss has admitted he got it wrong when he announced that Gangsta Rap superstar 50 Cent was going to play at his venue.

Anthony Griffiths was inundated with calls from fans desperate for tickets after he told newspapers, including The Northern Echo, The Sunderland Echo and The Daily Star, how the controversial US performer was to play at the Glass Spider, in Sunderland, next month.

The rapper was not booked, but the interest was so great that an embarrased Mr Griffiths desperately tried to contact the star's representatives to secure an appearance.

The club is holding a 50 Cent night on Saturday, February 26, but it will feature a tribute performer, not the man himself.

Mr Griffiths, director of Wylam Leisure, which has invested £1.5m in the venue, said last night: "It was totally my fault.

"We have got a special night lined up, featuring singers like Jocelyn Brown and Lamar, and we have this official 50 Cent night that is sanctioned by his record company.

"I presumed he would be coming to the event, but unfortunately he's not. I didn't realise how big he was, the response has been unbelievable.

"The amount of people who have been coming in, or ringing up - the phones have never stopped. One girl came in with £100 and said: 'I want a ticket, I have to see him and I don't care how much its costs'."

Mr Griffiths said that, given the amount of interest, he had tried book 50 Cent, but his record company, Universal, said he will not be appearing.

"There was hysteria. We could have sold 1,200 tickets on the first day. It would cost us thousands of pounds to get the publicity we have had.''

The Glass Spider, in Green Terrace, will hold a VIP night on Wednesday, February 15, and open to the public the following night.