Eric Clapton has all but confirmed his intentions to retire from the live arena, having described touring as "unbearable" in a recent interview.

Speaking to Uncut magazine, Clapton, who turns 70 next March, revealed "odd ailments" that are beginning to stifle control of his guitar, which has led him to question the future.

"There are tons of things I'd like to do, but I'm looking at retirement too," he said. "What I'll allow myself to do, within reason, is carry on recording in the studio. I don't want to go off the boil to the point where I'm embarrassing myself.

"The road has become unbearable. It's become unapproachable, because it takes so long to get anywhere. It's hostile – everywhere; getting in and out of airports, travelling on planes and in cars."