THE last time he played in Blackburn he was singing Take That covers in local pubs and clubs. He returns to the town as part of a Brit Award-winning band, with a number one hit single to his name and a status other pop hopefuls can only dream of rivalling.

Not surprisingly, Liberty X member Kevin Simm can't wait to play his first Blackburn gig with the band in Corporation Park tomorrow.

"We've never played in Blackburn before," said Kevin, from Abbey Village, speaking exclusively to the Evening Telegraph on the eve of the concert.

"We did Blackpool last year, but that's the closest we've got to my home. All of my family and friends will be down in Corporation Park on Saturday.

"Doing gigs like this is the best part of the job for me and it's really nice to be coming back home.

"If there'd been a band I really liked as a kid, I can't think of anything better than just going down to the local park and seeing them for free."

Few would begrudge Kevin the success he now enjoys, particularly since he has played his fair share of less glamorous gigs.

He said: "I really did the rounds in the pubs and clubs in Blackburn and Burnley. It was a really good learning experience and it taught me how to sing better because I had to make myself heard above all the noise.

"But it's great to be doing massive gigs like this in Blackburn."

Performing in front of thousands of fans is an experience Kevin is getting used to.

Last week he played in Hyde Park before a 100,000-strong crowd, which included the Prince of Wales.

He said: "We were prepared for the occasion because we've done so many big gigs now. It was a special experience and Prince Charles was really cool."

Fame, as most people know, has not come easily to Liberty X.

After braving the sharp tongue of "nasty" Nigel Lythgoe in the TV show Popstars, they made it to the final 10 contestants, only to lose out to the five winners who went on to form Hear'Say. Liberty X then found themselves branded "Flopstars" by the national press.

Kevin said: "At the time it was quite weird. Because it was the first show of its kind, we didn't get quite such a big profile as the losers from Pop Idol did later on."

However, after striking up a rapport, Kevin and his fellow band members decided to rebuff offers of solo work and instead formed Liberty X.

He said: "It just seemed like the logical thing to do. Our voices blended really well together and it seemed we had a lot of potential to make it as a group. That's definitely been the right decision because going solo probably wouldn't have worked for us."

And, with a new album on the horizon, as well as their first arena tour, Liberty X have a lot to celebrate when the play at Arts in the Park.

Kevin said: "Our new single Jumpin' is really energetic and we're hoping that will go down really well. We like to interact with the audience and really get them involved so we're hoping for a really good reaction in Blackburn."

Liberty X are due on stage at 9pm Saturday.

Full four-page picture special in Monday's Telegraph