SINGING star Billy Ocean is looking forward to having a party at next year’s Upton House Music Festival in Poole.

The king of R&B is headlining the 80s Extravaganza at the three-day festival on Friday, 9 June with Kim Wilde and Toyah co-starring.

Billy said: “It’s party time at Upton House! I’m really looking forward to having a great night with all my friends in Dorset.

“My band and I will be putting on a special festival show packed with all my hits and favourites – perfect for getting everyone up and dancing.”

Trinidad-born Billy has been a mainstay of the British and international R&B scene for 40 years, has had a string of top hits and has been showered with music awards ranging from Grammys to Brits.

His unforgettable hits include When the Going Gets Tough, Suddenly, Love Really Hurts Without You, Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car, Red Light Spells Danger, Caribbean Queen and Love On The Run.

His latest ‘best of’ album, the 30-track Here You Are, was released this year and went straight to the top of the charts.

Joining Billy at Upton will be Kim Wilde, whose first single release, Kids In America in 1981, was a worldwide hit and launched a career which has so far yielded thirteen studio albums and more than 30 singles, bringing sales of more than 20 million records.

In 1983 she was voted Best British Female Singer at the BPI Awards. She continues to perform on tours and festivals all over the world and was the recipient of a British Academy of Songwriters Composers & Authors Gold Badge Award in October 2015.

Kim, also a radio presenter and renowned landscape gardener, said: “I’m so looking forward to coming to Upton Country Park – I’ve heard the grounds are wonderful and I’m hoping to take a look around, especially to see the Walled Garden’s borders.

“But my first love is singing and because I love the special atmosphere of outdoors summer concerts I can’t wait to get up on stage to belt out Kids, Water On Glass, Cambodia, You Keep Me Hanging On and some of my newer songs.”

Completing the trio of 80s superstars is Toyah, who has very close links with Dorset thanks to her 30-year marriage to Wimborne born and bred King Crimson musician Robert Fripp and her time spent living in Witchampton.

The pop princess, film star and actress said: “Dorset is very close to my heart and I love returning there whenever I can. It will be great fun playing Upton House Music Festival as well as meeting up with a few old friends.”

Punk icon Toyah, whose 13 top 40 hits included It’s A Mystery, I Want To Be Free, and Thunder In The Mountains also includes a starring role in the mod movie Quadrophenia and work with Sir Laurence Olivier on her 35-year CV.

She added: “I love the variety in my career – it keeps it all fresh and I’ll certainly be looking to put on a colourful, energetic and exciting show for the 80s fans at Upton House.”

The three-night festival held at the idyllic country park also includes a Classical Spectacular on Thursday, 8 June with world renowned bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, Australian soprano Lauren Fagan, the celebrated BSO Concert Orchestra conducted by the acclaimed Gareth Jones and exciting all female electric string quarter Escala.

Saturday, 10 June will feature a major international star whose name is being kept strictly under wraps until a big announcement takes place in January.

Tickets for the event are available now, with various hospitality packages available. See the website www.uptonhousemusicfestival.co.uk for details or call 01202 255161.

Early bird tickets available until December 31 are: Adults £35, Children (5-14) £27.50; Family (2 adults + 2 children) £120; Gold Circle £43.

Pre-Concert Dining tickets, including a three-course meal and a Gold Circle Seat, are £95 inc vat while VIP Hospitality tickets at £165 plus vat., include a gourmet served dinner, champagne, a private lawn in the arena, complimentary programmes, VIP parking and VIP Gold Circle Seating.

Saturday tickets will go on sale when the headliner is announced in January.

See the website www.uptonhousemusicfestival.co.uk for details or call 01202 255161 for hospitality bookings.