ENTERTAINER John Barrowman will visit 20 cities on his You Raise Me Up Tour, among them York Barbican on May 27.

“I’m so excited to be touring again that I’m choreographing songs and arranging stories in my sleep,” says John, who will be showcasing his latest album, funded last year through PledgeMusic’s Direct To Fan platform.

You Raise Me Up features new arrangements of Barrowman’s favourite songs, such as Mandy, Bridge Over Troubled Water, A Thousand Years and the title track.

“This album has been a thrilling personal journey for me,” he says. “Each lyric, each melody means something special. I can’t wait to perform them live for all my fans who helped fund it.”

Last year, Barrowman was awarded an MBE in June; starred as Malcolm Merlyn, alias The Dark Archer, in Arrow on Sky; and hosted Sing Your Face Off for ABC in the United States and the second series of BBC1’s quiz show Pressure Pad throughout September.

His Channel 4 show, The Small Pet Hospital with John Barrowman, aired later in the year and he played Buttons in the Glasgow SECC pantomime production of Cinderella over the Christmas period. His third fantasy novel, The Book Of Beasts, was released in July, co-written with his sister Carole Barrowman.

Tickets for the 7pm show cost £25 to £75 on 0844 854 2757 or at yorkbarbican.co.uk

“I’ve got lots to celebrate with my fans on this You Raise Me Up Tour,” says John. “Let’s raise these theatre roofs together.”