HE has wowed crowds in London’s West End, received standing ovations at some of the world’s great concert hall and even sung from the balcony at Buckingham Palace but Alfie Boe admits that one date in his schedule this summer will be something special.

For the singing superstar is to perform a one-off concert in his home town, Fleetwood, at the Highbury Stadium - home to League One outfit Fleetwood Town FC.

“It will be the first time I have played a stadium,” said Alfie. “Admittedly it’s a relatively small stadium, but it’s somewhere special to me.

“Being Fleetwood born and bred and a fully-fledged member of the Cod Army (the name for Fleetwood Town fans) it’s an honour and a privilege to be performing back in my home town and at my team’s home ground.”

And he revealed that fans who head along to the Homecoming concert can look forward to a special treat.

“I’m working on a new album which is due for release in November but I will be performing some of the songs from it at the concert,” he said. “They will be the first people to hear them.”

Now 44, Alfie is Fleetwood born and bred. One of nine children he grew up in a musical family but he admits he only started with the local amateur dramatic group “to get near to the girls”.

His big break came when he was working at the TVR car plant in Blackpool. He used to sing on the shopfloor to entertain his workmates then a customer heard him singing while he polishing cars suggested he should go to London to audition for the world-famous D’Oyly Carte opera company.

From there he has become one of the most successful classical crossover artists, starring in musicals ranging from Les Miserables to Quadrophenia and appearing on Broadway and in the West End.

Last year a plaque was unveiled in his honour at Marine Hall in Fleetwood - the theatre where he made his stage debut at the age of 14 in 1987 as part of BBC Music Day.

The Homecoming show was something Alfie had been thinking about for some time.

“I suggested to the football club it would be great to have a concert here,” he said. “I asked what the chances might be and they said they thought it could work. We talked about it some more and before I knew it they offered me a date.”

The concert in June will see Alfie back performing on his own. Recently a lot of his time has been taken up with a phenomenally successful partnership with Michael Ball which has spawned sell-out concert tours, TV shows and two top ten albums

The pair first met when they were both starring in the musical Kismet in London.

“We just got together to have a bit of fun and see how it worked out,” said Alfie. “I think you could say it’s worked out pretty well.

“People have really taken to it and we’re very happy with what we have achieved. We can’t thank the fans enough for their support.

Having spent so much time on the road together - the pair recently performed in Japan - could put a strain on any relationship.

“It’s one of those things that can either make or break a friendship,” he laughed. “We’re still speaking to each other so that must have worked out OK.

“It’s been interesting as we are both solo performers. It’s nice to do something different and to share a stage with someone.

“We are good mates and now we are going off to do our own separate things. We’ve both got our own albums to do. this year but maybe we’ll come together over the next couple of years for something else.”

As well as working on his new album, Alfie has got some dates in America planned including working with the famous Boston Pops Orchestra.

“I can’t say too much about the album as I don’t want anyone to steal my ideas but it’s going to be good. The songs will certainly show my voice off.”

For his Homecoming concert, Alfie promises fans a real party atmosphere

“It’s going to be very exciting to get back home and play to friends and family,” he said.

“I hold Fleetwood close to my heart.”

Alfie has pledged that £2 from every ticket sold to the Homecoming concert will be donated to the Fylde coast’s Trinity Hospice, where Alfie is a patron.

Head of Fundraising Linzi Young said: “This is quite incredible news for the Hospice. Alfie has been our patron for five years and has helped us launch various fundraising campaigns. He is a man with a big heart, as well as a big voice.”

Alfie Boe, the Homecoming concert, Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood, Saturday, June 2. Details from www.ticketmaster.co.uk