Rick Astley's never gonna give up the music: Gigs in Spain and new album for 2018

Rick Astley soared from anonymity to world fame overnight when his first-ever record, Never Gonna Give You Up, went straight to number one in his native UK in late 1987.

Aged just 21 at the time, the new rising star from Newton-le-Willows followed up this unexpected success with the single Together Forever, which also went to number one, and his first album, Whenever You Need Somebody.

Subsequent studio albums and singles failed to live up to his spectacular début, but with 40 million album sales worldwide, Astley has had little to complain about.

And those who have been following the British music scene may have noticed that Rick has never stopped producing music – at least, not until 2006.

Then, after a decade of silence, and in tribute to his milestone age, Astley released the album 50 in 2016, which once again hit the number one spot in the UK.

And his sixth decade is so far proving to be a productive one: the instantly-recognisable northerner, who has not changed in appearance since he burst onto the scene 31 years ago, is set to release a new studio album titled Beautiful Life on July 20.

It includes 12 brand-new tracks written, produced, composed, sung and played entirely by the artist, meaning it is a true reflection of all that is essentially Rick Astley.

Singles set to be released from the album over the rest of 2018 include Chic, Rise Up, Try and The Good Old Days.

For those who want to revive their memories of '80s pop, see one of its key figures in the flesh and hear what he is now producing at the age of 52, dates for the diary are October 10 and October 12, where Rick will be on stage at Barts' Hall in Barcelona and the Municipal Congress Centre in Madrid, respectively.

It has not been revealed when tickets will go on sale or at what price, so fans should keep an eye out in the media and on the usual concert entrance point-of-sale websites.

Photograph: BMG/Innercia