Bob Dylan granted permission to play in China

Bob Dylan has reportedly been granted permission to play two shows in China next month after officials reviewed his new application for the gig.

Dylan, 69, had wanted to take his Never Ending Tour to the country in April 2010, but government officials refused to approve his dates in Beijing and Shanghai, prompting Dylan to scrap the rest of his Asian shows.

The music legend lodged a new application with China's ministry of culture for concerts this year, and the plans have now allegedly been given the go-ahead.

Executives at promotion company Gehua-LiveNation have reportedly confirmed that the concerts in Beijing on April 6 and in Shanghai on April 8 have been approved.

"These Bob Dylan concerts are destined to be one of the year's major tours and a musical event of depth, grace and greatness," the Daily Star quoted statement from the company as reading.