Sir Elton John ready to play, er, Leigh

The legendary singer-songwriter has set the region abuzz today with the announcement that he will perform an open-air gig at Leigh Sports Village next June.

Thousands of music fans from across the region are expected to descend on Leigh for the concert, with heavy demand expected when tickets go on sale for the show on Friday morning.

Sir Elton said: “I’ve been all around the world and I truly enjoy playing my music for fans everywhere I can, but I do so look forward to coming back home to England, especially every summer when I get to perform in places I have never played before, like Leigh.”

The gig is a major coup for the LSV and will mark the venue’s biggest concert so far to put alongside its growing portfolio of major sporting events, including hosting a Rugby League World Cup match this week.

Chief executive Simon Toon said: “The fact that a star of Sir Elton John’s magnitude is coming to the LSV really puts Leigh on the map and is another way in which we can provide our incredibly supportive community with world-class entertainment.

“To now attract a world-class pop star such as Sir Elton confirms that this is now one of the most exciting entertainment venues in the region.

“We can’t wait for next June, and we know that the people of Leigh will feel the same and support what will be a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime occasion.”

Sir Elton is one of Britain’s most recognisable musicians, known for his distinctive style of playing piano, flamboyant stage costumes and famous hits including Your Song and Saturday Night’s All Right For Fighting.

His appearances at events such as the state funeral for the Princess of Wales in 1997 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert has spread his fame far beyond the rock scene, while he has also composed extensively for musical theatre including the box-office smash adaptation of The Lion King.

Outside of music he is also well known as the president of Watford Football Club and for raising huge amounts of money for AIDS and HIV prevention and awareness through his foundation and annual White Tie and Tiara balls.

Sir Elton John will play at the Leigh Sports Village on June 21, 2014. Tickets go on sale on Friday at 10am from Ticketmaster and Seetickets.

To book, ring the 24-hour credit card hotlines on 0844 847 2441 and 0844 871 8819 or call 01942 487823 for information about hospitality packages.