HELLO AGAIN

OUT-OF-CONTROL ruffians are not the kind of fans most of us would expect to see at Lionel Richie concerts, but that’s how he describes his UK audience.

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But it's said with affection - in fact, weeks before his 76th birthday, he insists the fans are what keeps him coming back for more.

He adds: “To tell you the truth - I don’t really perform the songs. “I come to the show to watch the audience perform the songs. I don’t really have to do the heavy lifting. It’s a giant night of karaoke.”

Ahead of his Say Hello To The Hits world tour, which begins in Belfast on May 31, he says: “I've got people dressed up like Lionel Richie in the 80s, Lionel Richie in the 90s, I've got wigs and moustaches - you have no idea what I’m looking at. They put on the greatest show year after year.”

UK audiences in particular are among his favourites. He says: “They're out of control. I think they're enjoying their performance more than mine.

“It's a party and it’s a lot of fun. ... Really, it’s a celebration.”

Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, Lionel has plenty to celebrate thanks to a career that began in 1968 with the Commodores. With hits like Easy and Three Times a Lady, followed by solo smashes such as Hello, Dancing on the Ceiling and All Night Long, he has sold 125 million albums.