SATURDAY sees one of the legendary figures in ska and reggae returning to Manchester with his band.

Toots and the Maytals play the Academy, the final show of their first UK tour in four years, and it’s a date which fans are delighted to see taking place.

For in May 2013 Toots Hibbert suffered a serious head injury after being struck by a glass bottle thrown by a drunk fan during a festival show in the United States. The injury he sustained prevented him from playing live until a date in San Diego in June.

“I’m ready to go,” said the flamboyant frontman, “It was really great to get back on that stage in San Diego and then do some more dates in the US and now it’s time for the UK.”

For the past five decades, Toots has helped take reggae and ska to a global audience.

Indeed it is widely accepted that his hit Do the Reggay was the first song to ever feature the word reggae.

Other classic hits include Pressure Drop, 55-46 (That’s My Number) and Monkey Man - songs which inspired and influenced the whole Two Tone movement in the UK in the late Seventies and early Eighties.

A consummate showman at the head of some fabulous musicians, Toots has been with the band for 55 years and shows no signs of stopping now he’s been given the all-clear to return to touring.

“It has been a difficult three years,” said Toots, “but I’m very happy to be able to now get back together with my musical family and prepare to share my music once again with my incredible fans.”

And it’s clear that fans still hold him in great regard..

“Every time I come to the UK I get a great reception,” said Toots.

“I love my audience and my audience loves me - it’s really happening over there. People love my music so much.”

Toots and the Maytals, Manchester Academy, Saturday, September 10. Details from the box office on 0161 832 1111