THE Eighties are set to come roaring back to Blackburn next weekend when the show, The Best of Wham, hits town.

Packed with hits from the pop duo and also including solo material from George Michael, the show is unashamedly nostalgic says producer David Greigo.

“The show is a real celebration of the music of Wham,” he said. “We have guys who sound and have look of them and we wanted to bring the nostalgia from the 80s to the stage.

“It’s a very classy tribute if you like. Wham could be done very badly if I’m honest and we’ve worked very hard to present something very special. We have had to be really critical in our search to find the right people.

“I think having a great live band to back all this amazing music adds a real coolness to the show too.”

The man faced with the challenge of singing the songs in the style of George Michael every night is Craig Webb who eagle-eyed TV viewers may recognise from Let It Shine.

“Craig has an amazing voice and really captures the spirit of George Michael,” said David. “But he’s not trying to do an impression of him, he has too much respect for someone who had one of the greatest voices of our time to do that.”

The show also features its own Pepsi and Shirley who really add to the live experience.

“If you look at some of the Wham performances on Top of the Pops, the routines they did were a little bit naff,” said David. “We have taken it up to the next level really.

“Our Pepsi and Shirley are both great singers in their own right. At one point our Shirley joins Craig to sing the Aretha Franklin part in I Knew You Were Waiting which brings the house down - her voice is that good.”

Four video screens showing footage of the band and also of George Michael being interviewed add to the experience.

“The show is much more that a collection of songs,” said David.

Audiences have certainly got into the spirit of the show.

“There are usually people their with their Choose Life T-shirts and Eighties’ gear on,” he said. “At some venues they have been wild and have been dancing on their feet from the show opener Wham Rap. They have even taken us by surprise.

“I think that people will go along expecting to have some fun and to hear the hits they love but the real reward for us is to have them leave saying ‘wow that was really special’ and that’s happening every night.”

The Best of Wham, Blackburn Empire Theatre, Sunday, May 13. Details from 01254 685500 or www.blackburnempire.com