Rick insists he will Keep Singing

The former Newton-le-Willows resident appeared on ITV morning show Lorraine and played a sneak peek of his new record, Keep Singing, to guest presenter Amanda Holden.

And to mark his 50th birthday, Rick has called his new album, 50, which will be released on June 17.

He told Amanda: “It was a big milestone. I got back in the studio and friends were telling me the material I was working on was pretty good. So I decided to go for it.

“50 marks both a new chapter in my journey as an artist, and a return to the music I first fell in love with.

“I could not be more excited to share it with my fans, and take these songs, that have been years in the making, out of the studio and onto the stage.”

And as his official video was launched online, fans took to Twitter to express their delight. One fan posted: “Just watched the official video of your new single and it is spectacular! :) Love it!”

Despite retiring from the music business at the age of 27, Rick released an album ten years ago and he toured for the first time in 14 years.

In September 2008, the Never Gonna Give You up hitmaker was nominated for the Best Act Ever gong at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

He has been touring the UK to showcase his album, which he hinted had a bit of a gospel sound to it.

He was in Warrington last weekend and last night was at O2, in North Greenwich.