DAVID Essex is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his first hit, Rock On, by still rocking on this autumn.

On the road for a 54-date tour from September 26 to November 18, he plays York Barbican Centre on October 24.

As well as performing such well-worn Essex favourites as Gonna Make You A Star, Hold Me Close and Oh! What A Circus, he will be introducing his new album, Sunset. Recorded earlier this year and initially released through the website www.davidessex.com in June, it will be on sale at the Barbican show.

This year, Essex undertook a spring mini-tour, when he played Scarborough but not York, and in May he released the paperback edition of his autobiography, A Charmed Life, through Orion Books.

Tickets for tomorrow's 7.30pm show cost £20 on 01904 656688.

Updated: 09:50 Friday, October 24, 2003