DENNIS Locorriere has been offered huge sums of money to play the revered songs of Dr Hook across the globe.

But the 62-year-old former lead singer says that he would rather fade into obscurity than only be known as the lead singer of the globally-successful 1970’s band.

The American, who has lived in the UK for the past six years, is taking to the road for his six-month Dennis Locorriere Alone Again tour, which is stopping off at Darwen and Morecambe.

He says that the show gives the audience the chance to see another side to him.

“The show is basically me, Dennis Locorriere, standing on stage singing my new material and even reading the odd bit of my poetry,” he said.

“Obviously I have to sing some Dr Hook hits, the fans want to hear them as well, but I also try and incorporate some of the lesser known Dr Hook songs that people might not expect.

“I don’t see the point in only singing Dr Hook material.

"That was a huge part of my life but isn’t the only thing about me; the fans grew up and so did I.

“I wouldn’t want to be a living memorial to the band.

“If I did, people may come and see me once or twice but I have to offer something new or I would get bored and so would the audience.

“I have been offered substantial sums of money to perform in America at casinos and other venues and sing all our old hits but I don’t want to do that, I would rather fade into obscurity.”

Dennis, originally from Nashville and now based in Sussex, will be joined by upcoming singer/songwriter Emily MaGuire.

But he said there was no chance of a Dr Hook reunion in the future.

“We spent a lot of time together on the road but when it was over it was over.

“I’ve never felt the need to go back to those days. We’ve all moved on.”

After his tour of the UK, Dennis is heading back to America and then to Canada for his first show in 30 years.

He said: “I have been approached to play in Canada and America before but they only know the old stuff so I have been reluctant to do it.

"This time when I was asked by someone who has heard and likes my material and was willing to let me run the gigs the way I wanted and not just play all the Dr Hook hits.”

As well as his chart topping career Dennis has also appeared in a movie with Dustin Hoffman, starred in New York in an acclaimed one man play The Devil And Billy Markham written by Shel Silverstein especially for him, and written songs that have been recorded by various other artists.

So what’s next for Dennis? “I love performing on stage but it would be really fun to be the voice of an animated character.

"I think I would suit something like a grizzly bear, any woodland animal would do really!”

* Dennis Locorriere is at Darwen Library Theatre on Wednesday, June 8, £20, 01254 706006; Platform Theatre, Morecambe, Saturday, June 25, 01524 582 803.