Win tickets to see David Essex on stage!

2:49pm Tuesday 22nd April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

DAVID Essex returns to Liverpool next month as part of his first new album tour in four years.

And the Globe has tickets to see the London-born singer, actor and composer - whose wealth of hits include Hold Me Close, Gonna Make You A Star and Rock On - when he comes to the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall as part of a 48-date tour promoting his new album, Happy Ever After, on May 12.

Supporting him will be Oxton-based singer and songwriter Dean Johnson.

"I'm looking forward to the tour and returning to Liverpool, particularly in its Capital of Culture year," said David.

The son of an East End dock worker, who changed his surname from Cook to Essex after joining his first band in the 1960s, continued: "It's going to be a mix of old and new material, which is quite exciting. I started rehearsing with the band last week and am ready to go."

In a career spanning more than 40 years, David, who worked on a fairground in his younger days and turns 61 later this year, has produced albums and singles that have sold millions worldwide.

He has also had a successful stage and silver screen career and goes on tour in September with his new musical, All The Fun Of The Fair. With a script by John Connor, this edgy musical about the seedy underworld and relationships of fairground folk features many of David's hits.

Looking back on his life in showbusiness, he told me: "I suppose the secret of my success in this business is that I've been involved in a lot of projects that I have really enjoyed doing and have never lost my enthusiasm."

His first appearance on stage, in a 1971 production of the musical Godspell, attracted the attention of film producer David Puttnam, who asked him to play the lead in That'll Be The Day, which co-starred Ringo Starr, and its sequel Stardust.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice asked him to play Che in the musical Evita. Directed by Broadway producer Hal Prince, it was the hit of the season and David's recording of Oh What A Circus went to number three in the charts.

Tim Rice and Mike Batt wrote A Winter's Tale especially for David and this shot to number two in the charts.

But perhaps one of David's biggest roles was that of the soldier in Jeff Wayne's 1977 album version of H.G. Wells' tale of Martian invasion, War Of The Worlds. His last album, It's Gonna Be Alright, was released in 2004.

For updates, log onto his website: www.davidessex.com The Globe has two pairs of tickets to give away for his show at the Philharmonic in Hope Street, Liverpool, on May 12. To be in with a chance of winning a pair, complete the title of this David Essex hit: .... Me Close.

It couldn't be easier to enter - simply call 0901 221 0247 and leave your answer to the question, along with your name, address and daytime telephone number when prompted. Calls cost only 25p - less than the cost of a first class stamp! Calls from mobiles may cost more.

Lines close at 5pm next Wednesday (April 30). Service provided by Newsquest Media Group.

Alternatively, you can enter by post. Send the answer, together with your name, address and daytime contact phone number, to: David Essex Contest, Wirral Globe, Haymarket Court, Hinson Street, Birkenhead CH41 5BX. Postal entries must be received by 5pm next Wednesday (April 30). Senders of the first two correct entries selected at random will each receive one pair of tickets.