RESURGENT soul-pop idol Rick Astley is to play Dalby Forest on June 23 2017 in the first Forest Live announced for next summer by the Forestry Commission.

Astley's concert in the North Yorkshire woodland near Pickering will be one of six nationwide by the 50-year-old Newton-le-Willows singer, who returned to the top of the album charts after a 29-year hiatus in June with 50: his first studio record in 11 years and his first number one since his 1987 debut, Whenever You Need Somebody.

Next summer's open-air shows will mark the 30th anniversary of his debut single, Never Gonna Give You Up, the Stock, Aitken and Waterman song that gave him a chart topper at the age of 21. It became Britain's biggest-selling song of the year and made the top spot in 16 countries, while the accompanying album sold 15 million copies worldwide and cracked the American top ten.

The Astley hits piled up with Whenever You Need Somebody; When I Fall In Love/My Arms Keep Missing You; Together Forever; She Wants To Dance With Me, Take Me To Your Heart, Hold Me In Your Arms and Cry For Help, his last top ten entry in 1991, peaking at number seven.

This summer's comeback has brought gold sales for 50, while the singles Keep Singing and Angels On My Side have attracted nearly 1.8 million views on VEVO and more than 600,000 streams on Spotify.

All 17 of Astley's indoor shows in the spring sold out and ticket sales are expected to be brisk for next summer's shows where he will perform songs from 50 alongside his greatest hits.

Astley said: "2017 sees me celebrating 30 years in the music business since my first number one hit. I can’t wait to perform as a part of Forest Live and I really hope you can make one of the dates to enjoy the experience with me.”

Income from Forest Live ticket sales goes towards the Forestry Commission's protection, improvement and expansion of English forests and woodlands, increasing their value to people and wildlife. Over the concerts' 16-year history, money raised has contributed to such projects as wildlife conservation and making improvements for visitors.

Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday at £36.50 plus £4.15 booking fee on 0300 068 0400 or online at forestry.gov.uk/music