WORLD famous singer Sir Rod Stewart is set to play Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion in a special one-off performance.

The Maggie May singer will use the stripped back, close-up show on April 30 as a warm-up for his UK tour which kicks off next month.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Announcement - how the Cliffs announced the show

It will also give fans with the chance to experience a behind-the-scenes look at the process of creating a touring show and the audience will be welcome to give their feedback during the very exclusive opportunity.

The fully-seated tour is being promoted by Cuffe and Taylor, whose director Peter Taylor said: “We work with Cliffs Pavilion on a number of different touring shows, so we are delighted they are able to host this exclusive warm-up show for Rod’s tour.

“Fans are going to be in for a real treat as they get to see this very stripped back performance where Rod and his band will be finalising their tour set list, working on what fits where and maybe even asking the audience for their input.

“This will be a fantastic night ahead of what is set to be an amazing tour and we can’t wait to see Rod get Southend rocking.

“He will then travel the length and breadth of the UK and across Europe performing to hundreds of thousands of people in what will be a formidable tour for 2019.”

The show comes as the Scottish singer’s 30th studio album, Blood Red Roses, debuted at number one.

The 74-year-old’s signature voice, style and songwriting has transcended all genres of pop music, from rock, folk, soul, R&B, making him one of the few stars to enjoy chart-topping albums throughout every decade of his career.

Organisers say the performance will include show-stopping classics from his glittering career as well as new album Blood Red Roses - a deeply personal 13-track collection of originals and three covers.

Sir Rod has earned countless industry awards, among them, two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the ASCAP Founders Award for songwriting, New York Times bestselling author and the Grammy Living Legend.

In 2016, he officially became ‘Sir Rod Stewart’ after being knighted by Prince William at Buckingham Palace for his services to music and charity.

To be in with a shout for tickets, sign up at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/rodstewart-vf.

Fans will be asked to verify their identity before accessing the page.

The deadline for registration is 11.59pm tonight.

As well as the Southend date, Sir Rod will perform in venues such as Bristol, Nottingham, Southampton, York, Milton Keynes, Ipswich, Wolverhampton, Aberdeen, and Bolton, during his UK tour.

Tickets for the full tour are on sale now to the public and are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk.