A STAR of one of the most successful boy bands to date and winner of television's Celebrity Big Brother has been signed to play at Preston's Rock in the Park.

Former Take That singer, Mark Owen, is expected to play a 30-minute live set showcasing new material at the concert on June 19, in Avenham Park, as part of the Preston International City Festival organised by Preston City Council.

He will join up-and-coming band Speedway and singing sensation Natasha Bedingfield, whose debut song, Single, is currently in the top ten chart list.

It will be the heart-throb's second performance in Preston and follows a gig at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, last September.

But his visit is expected to be reminiscent of his glory days touring with Take That band members Robbie Williams, Howard Donald, Gary Barlow and Jason Orange and crowds of more than 15,000 people are expected to attend.

In the early 1990s the boy band took the pop world by storm with screaming girls flocking to see them perform hits like Back for Good, Could it be Magic and A Million Love Songs.

Mark was the voice behind the group's number one hit, Babe, helping the lads land a place in the Guinness Book of Records for being the first band to score seven consecutive number ones.

But, despite the band's huge following, the Oldham pop star struggled to launch his solo career after the group split in 1996.

Last year, however, he shot back to fame after winning Celebrity Big Brother and is hoping for a second stab at singing stardom with the release of new single Making Out, on Monday, June 7.

Anne-Marie Flynn, festival team member, said: "We are thrilled to have such a huge star confirmed for Rock in the Park and it's really exciting that the city is able to attract current chart acts.

"The acts will appeal to people of all ages and it should be a great day out."