BRITISH reggae band UB40 are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut album, Signing Off with a tour of intimate venues, stopping off in Manchester on November 7 and Preston on November 8.

With more than 70 million record sales and 50 UK singles you’d think UB40 were born to produce hits.

But it took Astro 42 different jobs to find his niche as the silky-smooth vocalist for the Birmingham reggae giants.

Astro, born Terence Wilson, has been a painter, a laborer, and a decorator.

He’s sat on the production line, with the rest of the band, in a Cadbury’s factory and he has made light fittings for BHS on a wage of £7 a week.

And if he had his time again he’d like to try his hand at being a chef, Astro tells me just quietly enough so his wife Dawn, sitting in the next room, doesn’t hear.

But it’s with UB40, who celebrate their 30th anniversary this year, that Astro stood the test of time.

“I used to just leave jobs at lunchtime if I didn’t like them,” admitted the 53-year-old – also the band’s trumpet player.

“I hate being bored so I used to just walk out. But I tell you what: I’ve spent most of my life since just waiting around,” he laughed.

“It’s been 30 years of waiting, for buses, planes, meet and greets, and to go on stage.

"But when you finally get to do the part you enjoy the most – the performing, you remember why it’s all worth it,” he added, with all the enthusiasm of a newly-fledged performer.

The guys have something of a new lease of life at the moment, as they embark on an anniversary tour taking in all the intimate venues where they played their very first gigs.

The 16-date ‘Signing Off’ tour, which celebrates the 30th anniversary of the release of their debut album of the same name, stops at Manchester and Preston.

Performing to some of their smallest crowds for years, the band will play their classic debut album in its entirety, followed by a second set packed with all the world-wide hits including Red Red Wine, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and their UK number one I Got You Babe.

l UB40, Manchester Bridgewater Hall, November 7, 7pm. Tickets £35 from the box office on 0161 907 9000; Preston Guild Hall, November 8, 7.30pm. Tickets £35 from the box office on 01772 258858.