SINGING sensation Michael Ball will be celebrating 25 years in showbusiness with a concert in Ipswich, it had been announced.

SINGING sensation Michael Ball will be celebrating 25 years in showbusiness with a concert in Ipswich, it had been announced.

The multi-platinum artist and musical theatre star will perform old and new songs at the Regent Theatre on Monday, October 5.

He will visit the town as part of his UK tour which is named after his new album, Past & Present - The Very Best of Michael Ball.

Mr Ball said: “I can't believe it's been 25 years. I can't think of any better way of celebrating than going on tour and having a party with all my fans.”

In recent years, Mr Ball has performed in An Evening With Michael Ball at the BBC Proms in 2007 and in the same year he made his debut with English National Opera at the Coliseum in Kismet.

In October 2007, he opened in the smash hit West End production of Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre. His starring role as Edna Turnblad earned him the Olivier Award last year for Best Actor In A Musical.

Tickets for his UK tour go on general sale on Friday and cost �32.50 or �30 for concessions.

They can be bought from www.livenation.co.uk.