Former Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow talks ahead of Birmingham show

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

Marti’s career spans the decades and includes Love Is All Around, which stayed at the top of the charts and gave him the longest stay at number one for a British artist.

The star has dozens of gold and platinum-selling records from all over the world, which sit in a cupboard held open by his Brit award.

Marti has worked in stage musicals as well as concert halls, starring on Broadway stages and in the West End.

He says: “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 – it’s 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 – 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 of the fans really loved those shows – then I wanted to come out and play these great songs and more for them.

“I want to hear my audience singing and laughing with me and walking away that night knowing me just that bit better.” After the success of his last tour – Marti put together the new concert idea of The Private Collection show. He showcased it to sold out evenings at The Stables in Wavendon and such was their success Marti decided to turn this show into a UK wide tour in 2018.

He adds: “Here’s a show for those that just would love to hear an extraordinary evening of music – from the hits you love the most, with massive brass-driven soul numbers to intimate acoustic ballads – and maybe a wee bit of chat along the way – we’ve got everything fans love.”

Pantomimes

He’s looking forward to getting back to singing, having spent the past few years starring in musical theatre with leading roles in shows like The Witches of Eastwick, Jekyll & Hyde and Evita – as well as high profile performances in pantomimes.

“I’m never that far away from a stage, being a singer-songwriter and performer, either in musical theatre or just gigging, it was always the case I was never far away for me,” he says.

“As a singer-songwriter, you always hope your songs will have longevity and if your career can span decades, it’s a wonderful thing, especially if you still have the same enthusiasm for your vocation or job, you still have that passion for it, it puts a spring in your step.”

In coming years, fans might have to get used to seeing more of Marti on his own, after he announced he wanted to spend time focusing on his own projects rather than those including other members of Wet Wet Wet.

“I will be spending more time on my solo work – performing concerts, acting and my own songwriting – as an artist I feel a lot more settled in this world. I have had a great time and loved my career with Wet Wet Wet and to me they will always be the best band in the world.

“When I started in Wet Wet Wet I gave it 100 per cent of my heart and soul and that’s what it demands and that is also what the fans demand – and if I can’t do that because my focus is elsewhere, then this is not fair on the fans or the rest of the guys in the band.”

In addition to preparing for his Private Collection tour, Marti has been working with long-term collaborator Grant Mitchell and playwright Jack Bradley on a stage musical. It could follow in the footsteps of musicals about the likes of Abba, Queen, The Kinks and Take That. It’s all about the story, there’s nothing worse than seeing a juke box musical.

“I mean Ray Davies did a cracker with The Kinks – that’s so beautiful . . . you know, so never say never. It would be good to dig the back catalogue out.”

Wet Wet Wet enjoyed a series of huge hits across a 10-year period, including Sweet Little Mystery, Angel Eyes, Wishing I Was Lucky and Temptation.