A star is reborn

"The one reason I joined up was publicity," he said "If you've got a new single and a new album lined up and someone offers you a prime-time slot on ITV, you'd be mad to turn it down."

That was how Tony Hadley explained his decision to join nine 'faded' pop stars on TV's Reborn in the USA -- the show that takes 10 comeback contenders on a tour of the US and allows the British public to vote them out according to their performances.

What may sound like a stressful way to spend two months has actually, Tony claimed, proved very enjoyable. Speaking from New York, just before flying home for tonight's live grand final, the former Spandau Ballet frontman said: "It's been really fantastic.

"The US is amazing and the American audiences are superb. We've been to New Orleans, Nashville and New York and the weather has been great.

"New York is one of the most amazing cities you will ever visit. The last time I was out here was in the late '80s with Spandau and we had such a good time.

"If I do a half-decent job singing in America this time round then it should help to put an even bigger distance between me and the past."

In spite of some friction between the contestants, who include Sonia, Michelle Gayle, Gina G and Elkie Brooks, Tony claims they have, on the whole, got on well together.

"Everyone in the TV show is really cool. I've got on best with my old mates Peter Cox from Go West and Leee John from Imagination.

"It is a shame when people get voted off, but that's the nature of the TV show. That's what it's about.

"The presenter Davina McCall's always been on hand with the tea and sympathy.

"I'm starting to get a little tired now, though, and I'm missing home."

Tony, 42, will have to miss his wife Leonie and family for a little while longer thanks to his hectic schedule, having embarked on a UK tour this week, fresh from flying in from the States.

"I really need some time off, but I'm looking forward to getting back on the road."

Earlier this year the last fragments of Spandau Ballet fell apart when Tony said goodbye to Steve Norman and John Keeble, with whom he had briefly reunited.

He said: "It didn't work out the way I expected, so we decided to knock it on the head.

"People still talk about Spandau Ballet getting back together and that's absolute rubbish.

"It's unfair to mislead the fans like that because there are always going to be some fans who hope that might happen. To be honest, I don't want to live on a nostalgia trip for the rest of my life. Anyway, I like being on my own."

Tony's new solo tour will take him to the Colne Municipal Hall on May 22.

He said: "Without a doubt I love playing the old hits like Gold and True, but I don't want to do a revivalist show every week so I'll be doing some new stuff as well."

Some of the new stuff includes what Tony hopes will be a hit record -- After All this Time -- the theme song to popular BBC show Down To Earth.

The song is one of the tracks on his new album, the intriguingly named Lobsters And Limousines.

He said: "We went to the radio stations to see if they would promote the album and they told us we should release After All This Time as a single.

"Who knows if it will sell, but it's been getting played quite a bit on Radio Two."

Tony's career in music dates back nearly 30 years, when he stepped on stage as a 14-year-old to sing Lady Madonna a cappella.

Although he forgot half the words, his performance led to his involvement with The Roots, a forerunner of Spandau Ballet.

He is fondly remembered as one of the star singers of the '80s but he hopes the TV show will introduce him to a whole new fanbase. He said: "The difficulty is trying to get across to the 20-something audience

"But the response to Reborn In The USA has been amazing. We have been completely overwhelmed by it.

"When we get back to the UK I expect everyone and their dog will know who we are."

Tickets for Tony Hadley at Colne Municipal Hall on Thursday, May 22 cost £15. For details call the box office on 01282 661234.