Interview: Singer Billy Ocean

He enjoyed it so much he was determined to include it in his tour schedule next year, as he explained to The Wharf.

He said: "I really enjoyed the show there this year and I'm looking forward to coming back. I always enjoy my shows, you've got to because that's what makes it enjoyable for the fans.

"I'm excited about my British tour. I'm even going to Ireland for the first time. I play with a steel band and they have been many times but somehow I've always managed to miss out. But this time I'm looking forward to going there."

Billy, 59, has toured as far afield as Australia and New Zealand and recently returned from the United States, where he had a different experience.

He said: "I played at the Epcot Centre in Florida but instead of doing normal sets I played three half-hour shows a day. It was a bit strange. I put my all into them but it was a bit like asking a painter to paint over the same piece of wall. But the audience seemed to love it."

Billy is due to release a new album, Because I Love You, next year. He's had a long hit-laden career, including songs like When The Going Gets Tough and Suddenly, and he has a theory why he is still a popular live draw today.

He said: "I've been blessed to have a certain amount of success in my career but I think there's a lot of reasons why people enjoy the shows I do.

"They get to hear their favourite songs, which they may not have heard sung live before, plus I have a big band of 11 people, which means what they hear is something relatively organic and genuine.

"There's a lot of music around now but the good things are few and far between. Things are a bit too corporate now, which is why old timers like myself can still go out there and play."

Billy is planning to take it easy over the festive season, spending time with his family, but he's looking forward to 2010. Does he have any New Year resolutions?

He said: "I don't really make them but if I did it would just be to try and be happy. There's no point in being miserable because the only person you hurt is yourself. Just try to be pleasant, inside and out."

Billy Ocean plays the Indigo2 on June 9 next year. For tickets visit theo2.co.uk.