TONY Hadley, lead singer of iconic ’80s’ band Spandau Ballet, will join ABC, Bananarama and Midge Ure at Newton Abbot Racecourse on August 14 for a night of ‘80s Gold.

Speaking from his Buckinghamshire home, he said: ‘It’s my first time in Newton Abbot, but not in the West Country.

‘I performed with Spandau Ballet at the Eden Project last year and had a mate in Cornwall where I spent a lot of time songwriting.

‘I bought a tent last year, which I haven’t used yet, so it’d be nice to pack that and do some camping with the kids after the show.’

Tony, aged 55, has five children, aged four to 32. He lives with his second wife Alison and his youngest children, Zara and Genevieve.

He’s been a solo artist for 25 years, longer than the time he was with Spandau, from 1978 to 1990. But he’s not averse to singing the band’s huge hits including True and Gold.

He said: ‘There’s nothing worse than an artist who goes on stage and doesn’t do their old stuff, the songs the audience love. So of course I’ll be singing the old Spandau hits as those songs are a part of people’s lives and memories.’

He said he’ll be including new material too and, with three albums on the go, he’s not short of material.

One of the albums is with the 50-piece Southbank Sinfonia Orchestra, with whom he’s playing live at the Royal Albert Hall in October.

He said: ‘It’s kind of chaotic at the moment really. I keep looking at what I’ve done, get inspired by it, then write another song. I’m thinking of putting out a summer single this year too.’

Tony has been collaborating recently with Ricky Wilde, Kim’s brother, and Rusty Egan, the legendary DJ from the new romantic era of which Spandau Ballet was such a big part.

It’s a comfort to those of us of a certain age to know these people still hang out together. And nice to hear it confirmed by Tony that those on stage at the racecourse will be having fun.

He added: ‘The Newton Abbot ’80s Gold show will have a really nice atmosphere, and there’ll be a great party backstage!

‘I was recently with Martin Fry of ABC, collaborating on an album of ’80s hits for the soundtrack to the Eddie the Eagle film. I bump into Midge Ure still and work with Bananarama loads.

‘I never get bored­ of being a musician. Working in the ’80s was a fantastic time – and the Live Aid gig will always be top of my favourite’s list – so it’s great we all still work together.

‘The new interest in ’80s’ music is brilliant. A lot of young kids are listening now and thinking how cool it is, and totally linked with the fashion of the day. That type of environment doesn’t really exist anymore.

‘And then there’s those aged 40 and above who were there in the ’80s and want to reminisce during a night out. The ’80s Gold show is a perfect gig for both these groups.’

Throughout the interview Tony is a little wheezy. He was in the Australian jungle on the TV show ‘I’m a Celebrity’ just before Christmas, and said he’s still recovering.

‘I got an ear infection, a chest infection and trench foot,’ he added. ‘It’s all completely real, we’re really out there in the jungle. But it was great fun and I’d do it all over again.’