The O2

The O2 announced that Sir Cliff Richard is to play two nights at the arena in October 2011 as part of The Soulicious Tour.

Conceived by television star and music producer David Gest, the live tour and album concept will see Sir Cliff Richard duet with numerous soul legends on a brand new album, a number of whom will join Sir Cliff on the tour.

Already confirmed to duet with Cliff Richard on the album as well as perform on his October 2011 UK tour, which will be produced and directed by Gest, are: Dennis Edwards & The Temptations Review: the Original Grammy Award-Winning lead singer of many of The Temptations classic hits 'Papa Was A Rollin' Stone'; 'I Can't Get Next To You'; 'Ball of Confusion' and 'Psychedelic Shack'); Russell Thompkins, Jr & the New Stylistics : the original lead singer of all the Stylistics hit records 'I Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)'; 'Rock 'N Roll Baby'; 'Can't Help Falling In Love'; 'You Make Me Feel Brand New'; 'Betcha By Golly Wow'; Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)', 'You Are Everything' and 'Sing Baby Sing'; Candi Staton 'You Got The Love'; 'Young Hearts Run Free'; 'In The Ghetto', 'Nights On Broadway' and 'Stand By Your Man'; Billy Paul 'Me and Mrs. Jones'; 'Let 'Em In' and 'Your Song'; Freda Payne 'Band Of Gold'; 'Bring The Boys Home' and 'Deeper And Deeper'; Percy Sledge 'When A Man Loves A Woman'; 'Warm And Tender Love'; 'Dark End Of The Street' and 'Take Time To Know Her', as well as Lamont Dozier; Brenda Holloway 'Every little bit hurts' and 'When I'm gone' and 'You made me so very happy'. Deniece Williams ' Lets hear it for the boy', 'Free' and 'Its gonna take a miracle'. Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. 'Aquarius/ Let the Sunshine In', 'Up up and away' and 'You don't have to be a star (to be in my show)'. And this is just the beginning of an amazing list being assembled for this project!

Celebrating his 53rd anniversary in the music business this year, Cliff Richard is indisputably Britain's all-time greatest hit-maker - the ultimate pop star! No other UK band or solo artist is even close to equalling his 123 single hits, or can claim to have occupied a place in our charts for the equivalent of over 20 years! Highlights of this remarkable career are too numerous to mention, but successful films, musicals, concert tours and television shows have all contributed to the Cliff Richard legend.

Cliff's 50th anniversary as a show-business phenomenon was marked by a celebratory UK concert tour - 'Cliff Richard - The Time Machine Tour' - in 2008, plus the publication of a new autobiography - My Life, My Way - and the release by EMI of an 8-CD box set - 'And They Said It Wouldn't Last!' - comprising some of Cliff's well-known hits, but also featuring rarer tracks and 35 previously unreleased songs.

In 2009/10 Cliff reunited with The Shadows for an extensive sell-out tour of Britain, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. To mark his 70th birthday in October 2010, Cliff played six concerts in London's Royal Albert Hall. Entitled Bold As Brass, they introduced a new musical genre as Cliff performed with a swing band. His album of the same name entered the UK album charts at No 2 that same week, and the DVD of his London shows was No 1 in the music DVD charts.

Cliff's knighthood, bestowed in the 1995 Birthday Honours for his tireless charity work, was the first such to be given to a pop star. His practical support of so many good causes reflects the reality of his deep Christian commitment, which began in the mid-1960's, and which, despite the media critics who claimed it was a passing fad or a publicity gimmick, has been the motivating force in his life ever since.

Tickets go on sale on Sunday 15 May and are available from www.theo2.co.uk