DANCING On Ice and X-Factor star Ray Quinn heads to Wirral next month as part of his new album tour.

The 27-year-old entertainer - whose began his career on Channel Four soap Brookside – is at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on Sunday, June 14 as part of his 17-date Dare To Dream tour.

Looking forward to the show, Liverpool-born Ray told the Globe: "It's a chance for me to get back on stage and perform, which is what I really enjoy.

"It's basically me and my three-piece band. I’ll also be doing a set from my first album, which came out in 2007."

Ray’s new album Dare to Dream takes a new direction away from big band swing that featured on his debut, Doing It My Way, which was released in 2007.

He said: "It's been a while since I've done any music, so I've been in the studio for the last 12 months working on the new album and am very happy with the result.

"It's a lot different from my first, which was full of swing classics. This one has a much more contemporary and modern feel.

"I’ve taken a lot of influences from the likes of Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran.

"I love my music and the great thing about working on the new album is that I'm in control of the product. Most of the new album is all material.

"I've been so busy with other projects over the last year, so it’s exciting to get my music back out there."

Ray first came to fame in 2003 as teenager Anthony Murray on Brookside. After finishing school he studied performing arts at Merseyside Dance and Drama College.

Two years into the course he took part in the show that would change his life - The X-Factor.

Since then he has appeared in pantomimes at the Liverpool Empire.

His second album Old Soul; Young Blood was released in 2013, soaring into the charts at number two on iTunes pre-order.

Looking back on his career, he said: "I've always been in this business, I'll never leave. I've been like a feather, blown wherever the wind took me and been given so many opportunities."

Tickets for his show at the Floral Pavilion are from 666 0000.

The Globe has a pair of tickets to give away for the show.

To be in with a chance of winning, answer this question: In which soap opera did Ray appear?

Send the answer, along with your contact details, to: Ray Quinn ticket competition, Wirral Globe, Haymarket Court, Hinson Street, Birkenhead CH41 5BX.

Alternatively, email your answer to craig.manning@nqnw.co.uk

The entry deadline is Monday, June 8 at 5pm.