THE voice is warm and friendly and betrays no signs of jetlag. Every question is answered politely and fully.

This may be the umpteenth interview that Alexander O'Neal has given since he flew in from the United States but he is professionalism personified.

For those with short memories, or who weren't buying records in the 1980s and early '90s, Alexander O'Neal was one of the leading R and B/soul singers of the era.

His album Hearsay went platinum and he had a string of hit singles, including Criticize and All True Man.

Now he's back, having just released his first album in nearly six years, and embarking this week on a 41-date tour of the UK which will bring him to King George's Hall, Blackburn, Saturday, February 16.

"I'm really excited to be back in the UK," he says. "It feels like a new beginning for me, like I'm starting all over.

"For my fans I can promise them that they can expect some vintage Alexander O'Neal on this tour. They are going to get it all."

All, in this case includes the infamous bed -- a huge double bed which appears on stage and from which O'Neal serenades the ladies in the audience.

"I suppose you could call this the 'Return of the Bed' tour," he laughs.

It may be some time since O'Neal toured the UK but he has no doubts about the loyalty of his fans.

"I have a special relationship with my fans here. They have come to expect a real show and it is up to me to keep up the consistency of what I do on stage."

O'Neal's new album Saga of a Married Man, out on Monday, reveals a more mature side, perhaps as it should from the three-times married singer, who now has eight children. Family is clearly very important for O'Neal.

"It's a great time for me in my life -- I'm looking forward to a lot of success. I think that of all the things that I've accomplished in my career, now is the time. I did a lot of things and this time round it's for my children. I've had mine -- been there did that -- and now it's time to put some things right for them."

O'Neal has teamed up with ex-Prince drummer Bobby Z for the album and on the tour support will be provided by Cherelle, with whom he has recorded a number of duets. The man from Mississippi may be approaching 50 but he shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, he is pushing himself ever harder.

"This is 2002," he says. "We've got a new album and this is what we're concentrating on.

"I feel very strongly about where I'm going right now. I'm looking forward to coming to England because I haven't been there for nearly two years."

The determination to succeed and to delight fans is clearly what drives O'Neal on.

He says: "Of all the things that I've accomplished, my greatest day is yet to come. But it will never come if I don't pursue it."

Greatest day or not, the audience at Blackburn can certainly expect a great evening.

"I'll be going the whole nine years for my fans, you can count on that," vows O'Neal.

Alexander O'Neal is at King George's Hall, Blackburn on Friday, February 16, For details contact the box office on 01254 582582