YOU may have heard of a little band called Wet Wet Wet and its frontman Marti Pellow...

What you might not know is that when the band formed in 1982, as ambitious teenagers form Clydebank in Scotland, they were originally called Vortex Motion, and back then Marti went by his birth name Mark McLachlan.

The band went onto enjoy numerous hits during the eighties and nineties and their debut album Popped in Souled Out rocketed to the top of the charts. Their biggest singles included Angel Eyes, Goodnight Girl, Sweet Little Mystery and of course Love is All Around which spent 15 weeks at the top of the charts in 1994.

Now there’s the chance to see the main man, Marti Pellow, in action when he comes to the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend next week.

Pellow, now aged 53 and more in love with music than ever, is bringing his Private Collection Tour to the venue on Thursday (May 24).

The tour celebrates his 30 years in the industry, including number ones and hit singles from his many albums as both a solo artist and with Wet Wet Wet.

Pellow says he’s not a singer songwriter that is about yesterday or today, but strives to be about tomorrow and that is why he has longevity in his career and continues to push himself.

Over the years he’s been on the Broadway stage, written a new musical, made new records and starred in the West End. He said: “Playing live is about sharing a connection with your audience; be that with singing old songs, new songs, borrowed songs - I don’t care where the songs come from - its about having the best night out - pure n simple.

“I was just blown away by the amazing response from fans after we did our big concert tour earlier this year – and then exactly the same response after we did a couple of our “Private Collection shows in a much more intimate setting – and I thought – if you all really loved those shows - then I want to come out and play these great songs and more for you. I want to hear my audience singing and laughing with me and walking away that night knowing me just that bit better.”

Tickets for the Cliffs show cost £44-£47 and can be booked on 01702 351135 or via southendtheatres.org.uk