Former Coronation Street star and X Factor winner Shayne Ward teased a big announcement on Monday - and fans are thrilled that he is returning to his first love of music. Shayne confirmed the news that he will be heading back out on tour for the first time in 8 years.
Shayne, who played Corrie's tragic Aidan Connor, has announced three UK headline shows for 2023. It will include a special homecoming at Manchester O2 Ritz on April 9, Glasgow on April 12 and London O2 Academy Islington on April 15. He has promised "more dates will be announced soon".
The new shows are in support of his latest release, Anthology, reflecting on his multi-platinum selling career as a music artist. Shayne, from Clayton, first found fame as the winner of the second series of The X Factor in 2005.
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His debut single, That’s My Goal, was the 2005 Christmas No. 1, spending four weeks at the top of the chart and selling 2 million copies. It remains one of the all-time twenty biggest best-selling debut singles.
It was followed by two more hit singles, No Promises and Stand By Me. All featured on his self-titled debut album, which entered the chart at No. 1 with first week sales of 200,000 copies.
Shayne has since had three further Top 40 hits and three more hit albums. His new box set Anthology brings together a total of 47 tracks including his first three albums in their entirety - Shayne Ward (2006), Breathless (2007) and Obsession (2010) - together with bonus tracks, remixes and previously unreleased recordings.
Announcing the tour news on his social media accounts on Monday, his fan base were predictably delighted with the news. Many have asked for more tour dates across the UK.
One said: "OMG best news ever", while another added: "You're back and I couldn't be more excited".
Shayne is also known for his award winning acting role as Aidan Connor on Coronation Street from 2015 to 2018, and has had great success on the theatre stage in the production of Rock Of Ages as Stacee Jaxx in London’s West End as well as the touring productions of The War of the Worlds and Band of Gold. Shayne also starred in the Tom Paton directed feature film The Ascent.
Fans can expect to hear all his classic hits on the new tour dates in April. Tickets will go on general sale on Friday 3rd February at 9:00am.
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