Justin Bieber apologises for late appearance at The O2, Greenwich (From News Shopper)

Justin Bieber apologises for late appearance at The O2, Greenwich

12:54pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News © Press Association and news reporter

Are you still a belieber?

TEENAGE superstar Justin Bieber has issued an apology to fans following his late show at The O2, while also blaming media exaggeration.

He wrote on Twitter: "Last night I was scheduled after three opening acts to go on stage at 9.35pm not 8.30pm but because of some technical issues I got on at 10.10pm.

"So I was 40 min late to stage. There is no excuse for that and I apologize for anyone we upset. However it was great show and I'm proud of that.

"And tonight we will run on time and look forward to putting on an amazing show for everyone in attendance.

"My relationship with the media is not always easy but I'm trying. Im all about the music and the performance and I respect my fans.

"I never have any intent to upset or let anyone down. And I'm not okay with things being exaggerated. Once again sorry for anyone upset."

The singer did not begin his performance until 10.30pm last night - long after many of his school-age fans would normally have been in bed. His late showing at Greenwich's O2 Arena was not explained, according to fans at the show, and many blasted the 19-year-old Canadian with messages on Twitter.

Some complained they were stranded after the late finish and a number of others had to miss the gig altogether in order to catch the last train home from London.

Father Wayne Parsonage said he ended up missing the show to ensure he could get home, and wrote on Twitter: "Disgusting. Waste of my time and money... never again."

Tracey Wilson, from Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire, took her teenage daughter to the concert. The pair were left stranded after missing their train home and instead had to be collected by her husband.

She told BBC Radio 5 live the support acts overran by around 20 minutes to 8.50pm, finally followed by Bieber an hour and a half later. She said: "There was no apology to say why or 'I'm really sorry' or to say something's happened. It's disgusting. It got to about 9.30 and they were starting to boo - you'd think someone would have come on then."

Another tweet complained: "Justin Bieber needs to understand he has fans that are really young. He can't come on stage like 1 hour and 45 mins late on a school night!"

It was the first of Bieber's four nights at the London venue.

At 11.36pm, the official account for the 02 tweeted: "Justin Bieber is now on stage and apologises for the lateness of his show." It later added: "Sorry to all the Justin Bieber fans for the lateness of his show tonight. The Tube will still be running when the show finishes."