SINGING star Michael Ball will kick off next year's UK tour in Blackpool. The singer, whose career began nearly 20 years ago in London's West End, will play the Opera House on May 29.

A tour spokesman said: "The Michael Ball 2005 tour will feature this most dynamic performer singing some of his best known signature tunes, such as Love Changes Everything from Aspects of Love, the song which gave him his first number one hit in 1989.

"Since his auspicious West End debut as Marius in Les Miserables in 1985, Michael Ball has enjoyed an enormously successful career as the UK's top male musical theatre star, million selling recording artist and live concert performer. Michael has been performing all over the UK for more than ten years, and the shows always sell out whether they're staged at traditional theatres, stately homes and castles, royal parks or festivals."

For tickets priced £24.50-£30 telephone the credit card hotline on 0870 400 0688 or log on to www.getLIVE.co.uk