POPULAR British boyband Blue head to the Liverpool Philharmonic later this week as part of their new album tour.

The group - whose many hits included All Rise and One Love - are at the city centre venue on Thursday, April 2.

Lee Ryan, Simon Webbe, Duncan James and Antony Costa were catapulted to fame in 2001, with the number five hit All Rise.

The boys went on to sell 16 million records worldwide, play to sell-out stadiums across the globe, clock up 11 top ten singles, three number one albums and earn two Brit Awards.

They collaborated with Sir Elton John on a cover of his 1976 hit Sorry seems to be the hardest word and with Stevie Wonder on a new version of Signed, sealed, delivered.

The band split at the end of 2004 after nearly five years together, reforming in 2009. They represented the United Kingdom at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest.

Their new album, Colours, was released on March 9.

Reflecting on life since the band reformed, Antony Costa told the Globe: "It's nice to have a second bite of the cherry and we're going to be around for a while yet.

"We've got a loyal fanbase, many of whom have been with us from day dot. A lot of people have seen us move with the times. The secret of our success is that we've always been mates.

"The tour is a much-more grown-up show to the one we'd have put out in the early days, and you won't see us jump around as much as we did then."

Their likeability and infectious personalities have seen them through the good times and bad and their unity has overcome any hurdle put in their way.

Antony continued: "There are a few good covers on the album, songs by people who were our biggest influences as kids, like Harold Melvin.

"We started work on the album and are very happy with the end result. It's a mature collection of songs, which reflects where Blue are today."

The album is co-produced by Brian Rawling, who has worked with Kylie Minogue, and includes the new single King of the World.

It also pays tribute to Motown with a cover of 1974 hit Hang On In There Baby.

Tickets for Thursday's show at the Liverpool Philharmonic, which starts at 7.30pm, are from the box office on 0151 709 3789.