YES, it is far too early to be mentioning Christmas. Nevertheless, those smooth crooners The Overtones have just announced their Christmas tour with York Barbican among the destinations.

Timmy Matley, Lachie Chapman, Mike Crawshaw, Mark Franks and Darren Everest will return to York on December 14 to present their Christmas With The Overtones show, having performed their winter setlist there in 2015 and 2016. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am on 0844 854 2757, at yorkbarbican.co.uk or in person from the Barbican box office.

"Once again we're thrilled to be back on tour this Christmas," say the London vocal harmony group. "We always work our hardest to bring our fans the best Christmas party in town. We love that it's become a fixture of our Christmas season and we love that it's become a fixture in yours too.

"We're going to bring the audience a night full of fun, laughter and dancing in the aisles. There might just be some surprises thrown in there too. So put on your glad rags, bring your Christmas baubles and come party with The Overtones! X."

What should people know about your Christmas tour, Darren? "A lot of offices have their Christmas party by coming to our gig, so it’s a really good atmosphere,” he says.

"Last year we did a karaoke section in the show, which went down a storm. We didn’t have to do anything. We had all the words up on a screen and they were singing along,” recalls Mark.

"It’s funny, because we’re out on the road for a month leading up to Christmas singing Christmas songs, so you’d think that we’d be a bit Christmas-ed out. But if anything it gets you more in the mood,” says Mike.

York Press:

"I do love a Christmas tour," says The Overtones' Lachie Chapman

The Overtones relish their Christmas dates, with 14 shows lined up for this winter. "It’s always one of those things that as soon as it finishes, you have a bit of time off in January and when we get back in February we’re like, ‘Right, we need to start thinking about the next Christmas tour’. It’s something we love to do," says Mike.

"We do shows all throughout the year but the tour is something really special."

"We’ve already got our jackets for this tour. We can’t say any more but wow," adds Darren.

As long as The Overtones stay together, they can foresee mounting a Christmas tour each year. "It’s part of Christmas now. Without the tour, I’d be like, 'This isn’t Christmas'," says Darren.

"I do love a Christmas tour," says Lachie. "It’s really nice being on the road leading up to Christmas time. It’s such a magic time of year. You know as December comes around, people start to really get in the spirit. You look out mid-December and there’s Rudolph ears, there’s a person with tinsel on. Twelve elves came to the show last year. It’s nice being part of people’s Christmas’. Christmas in the UK is better than in Australia."

"I would settle for Christmas on the beach," counters Darren. "I wouldn’t mind that," agrees Mark.

Meanwhile, in the wake of their themed releases of the nostalgic Good Ol’ Fashioned Christmas, Saturday Night At The Movies and Sweet Soul Music, The Overtones have recorded an EP of television theme tunes, Happy Days. Out now, it comprises an energetic, playful Fifties' rockabilly take on the title track, plus The Littlest Hobo, Golden Girls and Cheers.

"We originally did a YouTube video singing an a cappella of Thank You For Being A Friend and the response online really blew us away," say the group. "It was really lovely hearing nostalgic stories from people and fans who loved these old TV shows. It gave us the idea to record some more theme tunes that we all love and that we have special memories attached to."

Happy Days now and Merry Christmas ahead for The Overtones.