SOUL stalwart Gladys Knight will follow up last weekend's headline show at the BBC Proms in the Park with a 2019 summer tour that will visit Leeds First Direct Arena on June 23.

Knight began her music career in the 1950s, performing alongside her brother, sister and cousins in The Pips. In 1959, the group took on a new name, Gladys Knight And The Pips, securing their first big success in America with a cover version of Every Beat of My Heart.

After signing to the Tamla Motown label, Gladys's hits flowed with Midnight Train To Georgia, Help Me Make It Through The Night, the James Bond theme Licence To Kill, The Way We Were, Baby Don’t Change Your Mind and You’re The Best Thing (That Ever Happened To Me) .

Now 74, the "Empress of Soul" from Oglethorpe, Georgia, is not only a singer and songwriter but also an actress, author, restaurateur, businesswoman and humanitarian spokeswoman, to go with more than 40 albums and number one hits on the American pop, gospel, R&B and contemporary charts.

She last released an album, Where My Heart Belongs, in September 2014 and has been honoured with Rock''n’Roll Hall of Fame status and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Tickets for Knight's 7.30pm concert will go on sale at 9am today on 0844 248 1585 or at firstdirectarena.com.