Smooth UK soul-singer and wearer of the longest overcoats, if I remember rightly, and a regular feature on Top Of The Pops during the 80s, Billy Ocean will be back on the road to sing those familiar big hits, plus the odd few from his 2009 album 'Because I Love You'.

The tour begins in Basildon on April 30th and continues on to many towns including Harlow, Blackburn, Lichfield, Birmingham and the IndigO2 before ending up in Chatham on June 10th. Prices vary from around £20 to £30, depending on location - the Dublin gig is ?45 - ?50.

Billy has been the most successful UK soul-singer since records (no pun intended) began, notching up several Top 40 hits between 1976 ("Love Really Hurts Without You") and 1988 ("Calypso Crazy" - no I don't recall that one either). But it is the interim years where Ocean really hit pay dirt with "Suddenly", "Caribbean Queen", "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" and his only UK number 1 "When The Going Gets Tough etc", in fact he had four number ones in the US including the UK flop "Love Zone". Not bad for a man who use to work in Savile Row fitting suits for toffs!

After recently appearing on BBC Breakfast, the tour is sure to start selling fast so be quick!

Festival Update

Billy Ocean has recently been added to Heart Club Classics - Party in the Park 2010 in Hylands Park (Chelmsford) on 26th June alongside Alexander O'Neal, Black Box, Soul II Soul soundsystem featuring Jazzie B + more. On 18th July, he's due to pop up to the Midlands Music Festival where he will share a stage with: The Saturdays, Scouting for Girls, Chipmunk, Alexandra Burke, Taio Cruz, Level 42, Sister Sledge, Aswad, Peter Andre and many more. Tickets cost £32.50 to the Heart Club Classics date and £29.50 for the Midlands Music Festival (Saturday) or £50 for the whole weekend.