Paul Carrack is renowned for bringing a little soul to artists as diverse as Mike and The Mechanics, Nick Lowe and Squeeze. He's appearing at the Southport Theatre and Floral Hall on January 27.

Sheffield-born Paul hit the big time when his pub-rock band Ace had a huge global hit with his song How Long.

In the '80s he played on albums by The Undertones, The Smiths and The Pretenders, and joined Squeeze for their masterwork East Side Story, helping redefine the group's profile with his soulful vocal on the hit single Tempted.

After leaving Squeeze he hooked up with Nick Lowe, generating five albums for Lowe and another for Paul, 1982's Suburban Voodoo.

The biggest break in Carrack's career came in 1985 when he was invited to contribute vocals to a hit solo album being recorded by Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford. Silent Running.

Later on, the title track of their second LP The Living Years, sung by Paul, was a huge worldwide hit. Paul rejoined Squeeze and then another Mike and the Mechanics album contained another couple of Carrack co-compositions, including his first collaboration with Mike Rutherford on the hit single Over My Shoulder.

More recently Paul received the accolade of being invited, alongside the likes of Mariah Carey and Phil Collins, to serve as a special guest tutor on Operacion Triunfo, the Spanish version of Fame Academy.

Paul Carrack is at the Southport Theatre and Floral Hall on Friday, January 27. For ticket inquiries for the Southport concert, ring 01704 540454.