Sir Elton John to perform one-off show at Leigh Sports Village

INTERNATIONAL superstar Sir Elton John is set to play a one-off show in Leigh next year.

The performance at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, June 21 is one of three UK dates that the singer will play in 2014 and the Leigh date is set to be his only north west performance.

And after a stadium record crowd for the Rugby League World Cup game at the village on Tuesday evening, the announcement is another great coup for the town.

Sir Elton said: “I have been all around the world and I truly enjoy playing my music for fans everywhere I can, but I do so look forward to coming back home to England, especially every summer when I get to perform in places I have never played before, like Leigh.”

Simon Toon, chief executive of Leigh Sports Village, said it would be a ‘once in a lifetime occasion’.

“It just keeps getting better and better,” he told the Journal.

“We were expecting to one day host international matches but having an international superstar coming to play here is fantastic news.

“This just goes to show that the sports village is for everybody. It has been a long journey from small community events to huge pop concerts.

“I am a fan myself and have been to see him twice so I am really pleased. He is excellent to watch so I hope the people of Leigh and from the borough on the whole will come and support us and Elton.”

The five-times Grammy and Tony Award winner will perform number one hits and classic songs from his 40-year career, including tracks from his latest album The Diving Board.

Plans are under way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1973 released album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road later this year while a film project based on his life is set for release in 2014.

"The fact that a star of Sir Elton John's magnitude is coming to LSV really puts Leigh on the map and is another way in which we can provide our incredibly supportive community with world-class entertainment,” added Simon.

“We can't wait for June 21 and we know that the people of Leigh will feel the same and support what will be another fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime occasion at Leigh Sports Village."