ACTOR Matthew Tanner has been performing in the show Pop Goes The 80s since 2009, and has performed all over the country.

But he admits that he still feels nervous at the thought of appearing in front of his parents in Bolton.

The Bury-born actor, who trained at the Dawn Dawson Academy, is one of three lead vocalists who perform songs by the likes of Adam Ant and Michael Jackson in the show.

He said: “It’s nice to perform in front of your family, although it is a bit more nervewracking — when I perform in front of my parents I have to do them proud.”

Matthew will be performing songs including Stand And Deliver, Thriller and Smooth Criminal — complete with the famous “lean”.

“It’s actually quite painful because you have to tense your body to keep it straight,” he says of the move, which is achieved using a pair of special shoes that hook into the stage.

“I’m exhausted after every lean, but it’s definitely one of the peaks of the show.”

At 24 years old, Matthew isn’t really old enough to remember the 80s hits he performs the first time round, although he does have vague recollections of dancing to Kylie’s I Should Be So Lucky and the Locomotion in his front room at the age of three or four.

However, he says performing in Pop Goes The 80s has given him a new-found love of one of pop’s most reviled decades.

“I was obviously a 90s child, but this show made me sit up and pay attention to the 80s songs and get to love them,” he said.

* Pop Goes The 80s is at the Albert Halls, Bolton, on Friday, February 11. Tickets cost £18.50, call 01204 334400; then Grand Theatre, Blackpool, on March 27.