Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones has confirmed that the band plan to tour without frontman Robert Plant.

Jones said he and the group's remaining members – guitarist Jimmy Page and drummer Jason Bonham – “really hope” to return to the road, although he didn't specify when.

Last month, Plant said he found the constant speculation around the band's future “frustrating and ridiculous”, and insisted that he “will not be touring or recording with Led Zeppelin”.

Jones told an audience at a guitar exhibition in Devon last weekend that the band had auditioned singers to take Plant's place.

"As you probably know, Jimmy, Jason and I are actually rehearsing and we've had the odd singer come in and have a bash,” egigs quoted Jones as saying.

“As soon as we know — which we don't — we will let you know. But we really hope that something is going to happen soon because we really want to do it and we're having a lot of fun, actually, just rehearsing.”

Plant's statement last month suggested that he would not tour again for at least two years following the conclusion of his current US shows with Alison Krauss.

Jones admitted that the group weren't sure about what Plant's plans were. “He really doesn't want to make loud music anymore. We do. I mean, I love acoustic music, but it doesn't stop me from turning something up,” Jones added.

Calls for a full Led Zeppelin reunion tour have been consistent since the bands reunion show at the O2 Arena last December - which attracted 1 million applicants for just 9,000 pairs of tickets.

(by Jason Gregory)