Eric Clapton is quitting touring.

The 69-year-old guitarist finds travelling ''unbearable'' these days and he worries about becoming ''embarrassing'', but he won't give up music completely.

He said: ''''The road has become unbearable.

''It's unapproachable, because it takes so long to get anywhere - and it's hostile. Everywhere. Getting in and out of airports, getting on planes, travelling in cars....

''There are tons of things I'd like to do - but I'm looking at retirement, too. I'm 70 next year.

''I think 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.''

And the former Cream musician - who is nicknamed Slowhand - admits he is anticipating he may one day have to give up music altogether.

Asked if he can imagine a time when he will no longer play guitar, he told the new issue of Uncut magazine: ''Maybe. Physically, it might be that I can't, if it hurts too much. I have odd ailments.''

The 'Wonderful Tonight' star also claimed he thinks driving will eventually be illegal.

He said: ''I'm thinking that maybe in 10, 15 years, driving will have become illegal - because they'll have introduced another form of transport, with robot cars and things. You won't be allowed to drive.''