MULTI-award-winning British pop star and actor Will Young is heading back to Wirral later this year as part of a 50-date new album tour.

The entertainer - who came to fame as the youngest winner of Pop Idol's inaugural season in February 2002 - is at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on October 9 as part of the Light It Up tour.

To celebrate the new album, Will is embarking on his most intimate tour yet – taking shape as an up close and personal evening of acoustic performances, stories and conversation.

The UK tour will kick off in September through to November. General on-sale begins on 26 April – visit the website https://www.willyoung.co.uk/ for more details.

About the tour, Will said: "I’m very excited to be going to a lot of places I haven’t been.

"I wanted to go to smaller venues so I could properly get around the country rather than just playing the big cities."

Will's first single from the new album, Falling Deep is out now. It is described as 'channelling the nostalgia of ‘80s pop with a modern, soulful touch and sits somewhere between The Police and The Weeknd'.

The song is written and produced by renowned pop hitmakers PhD (who have worked with Kylie Minogue), with GRAMMY-winning songwriter David Brook (OneRepublic & Galantis) and Fraser Churchill (Charlie Puth).

‘Falling Deep’ is about 'the sweet surrender of giving into a new experience, however dangerous or out of control it makes you feel'.

It is the perfect introduction to Will’s first album of original material in five years.

Will said: "I’m remembering my roots of pop and completely welcoming it. The song immediately made my mind go to the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.

"I wanted the fun and nostalgia of that time but to modernise it, and I’m so proud of the result.”

Falling Deep’ is brought to life by a vibrant music video with nods to the classic, musicals-like chorus line.

Wirral Globe: Will Young in video shot from 'Falling Deep' Will Young in video shot from 'Falling Deep' (Image: Jamie Noise)Directed by Samuel Douek (who has worked with Anne-Marie, Tom Walker and Mabel); it features an ensemble of dancers, all around Will’s age.

Will said: “I wanted to work with dancers my age as I think sometimes there can be such a focus on youth in the dance world for all performers, and older performers come with such grace and wisdom. It was a fantastic day working with people my age.

"We all knew what a Nintendo Gameboy was and I think especially women can be overlooked as they age, so it felt very important to work with men and women for the project".

The new album Light It Up , out on August 9 is described as Will’s return to "joyous pop".

The 10-track collection sees the acclaimed singer-songwriter team up with new collaborators, pHD, the Scandinavian pop production/writing duo who have worked with Little Mix.

He also reunites with Andy Cato of Groove Armada and long-term writing partners Jim and Mima Elliot (who worked on Will’s defining album, “Echoes”).

He said: “I think for me it was about finally feeling more content and being able to go back to embracing joyous unashamed pop music.

"I really hope this is the go-to pop album for a dance, for a cry and for a celebration. I know I do all three with it."

Will became the youngest winner of Pop Idol's inaugural season in February 2002.

His debut single, Anything Is Possible, was released two weeks after the show's finale and became the fastest-selling single in the UK.

His many hits include I Think I'd Better Leave Right Now and his album 85% Proof earned rave reviews.

Away from the recording studio and tours, Will has also enjoyed huge success on stage and the silver screen.

His performance in the hit musical Cabaret was critically acclaimed. 

He also starred in the 2005 film version of Stephen Frears' musical-drama Mrs Henderson Presents alongside Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins.

The film followed the fortunes of an upper-class widow who buys a dilapidated Soho theatre and turns it into a nude revue which never closes during the Second World War.

He was also among the line-up for the Queen's Golden Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in June 2002.

Will had studied politics at Exeter University before moving to London, where he studied for a degree in musical theatre at the Arts Educational School in Chiswick.

But he put his studies on hold in late 2001 to become a contestant in the first series of Pop Idol.

His last show on Wirral was in 2016 in aid of Wirral Hospice St John's and took place at Tranmere Rovers' ground later this year.

Looking back on career highlights in a Globe interview at the time, he reflected: "My proudest moment was performing in the Queen's Jubilee concert; that was really cool, but there have been many highlights.

"Doing the film with Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins was a huge honour."

The secret of his longevity is simple. He said: "I think it's just about being stubborn.

"I really love doing what I do and it would be pointless to to work so hard at something that you don't love doing.

"I literally treat every day as if it was my last one in music.

"I used to be terrified about what I'd do if the music came to an end, but I don't anymore."