POP icon Rick Astley will kick off Forest Live 2017 next June.

The Brit Award winner recently made an anticipated comeback with the release of 50, his first number one album in 29 years - and he is getting ready to hit the road, starting with a headline spot at the music festival at Westonbirt Arboretum.

Astley was 21 years old when he unleashed Never Gonna Give You Up which became the UK’s best-selling single of that year, going on to hit number one in 16 countries. The song became the centrepiece of his debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody, which sold 15 million copies worldwide, cracking the US Top 10 in the process. He was also the first male solo artist to see his first eight singles reach the UK Top Ten. His chart-topping tracks include Together Forever, She Wants To Dance With Me, Take Me To Your Heart, Hold Me In Your Arms and Cry For Help.

“2017 sees me celebrating 30 years in the music business since my first No 1 hit,” said Rick. “I can’t wait to perform as a part of Forest Live and I really hope you can enjoy the experience with me.”

His latest opus, 50, has gone gold and singles Keep Singing and Angels On My Side have raked nearly 1.8m views on VEVO and over 600,000 streams on Spotify.

Forest Live is an independent festival organised by the Forestry Commission to bring forests to new audiences. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on protecting, expanding England’s forests and woodlands. Over Forest Live’s 16 years history, money raised has contributed to a wide range of projects, from wildlife conservation to making improvements for visitors.

Tickets are £36.50 (plus £4.15 booking fee) and go on sale on Friday at 9am. To book call the Forestry Commission box office on 03000 680400, or visit www.forestry.gov.uk/music.