By Rosalind Gibb

Last updated 12:40, Thursday, 06 November 2008

Soul singer Lemar will kick off his UK tour at the Sands Centre, Carlisle, next March.

It is five years since the singer-songwriter released his debut album Dedicated, after coming third on Fame Academy.

But unlike most of his talent show contemporaries (anyone remember Sinead Quinn for example?) the 30-year-old has enjoyed huge success.

His silky voice has invited comparisons to Luther Vandross, he has supported Destiny’s Child and Usher on tour, had three top ten albums, and won two MOBO Awards.

Lemar first played in Carlisle in front of 10,000 revellers at the city’s first pop2thepark event in 2004, along with Liberty X and Blazin’ Squad.

Lemar has spent the last two years working on his new album, The Reason, which he recorded in Los Angeles, Miami and Sweden, and enlisted the talents of producers including Jack Splash and Salaam Remi, who has worked with the Fugees, Amy Winehouse and Nas.

The Sands Centre will be Lemar’s first port of call on his upcoming nationwide tour, which culminates in dates at London’s Royal Albert Hall and the Manchester Apollo.

Lemar plays The Sands Centre on Monday, March 16. Tickets £25, available online at www.thesandscentre.co.uk or by calling 01228 625222.