AN Irish dance spectacular has returned to the North-East next week for its 20th anniversary tour.

Riverdance fans can celebrate an incredible milestone all this week at Sunderland’s Empire Theatre.

The show that first burst into the public’s heart at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin two decades ago is back by popular demand having been composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan.

Ms Doherty said: “The success of Riverdance across the whole world has gone beyond our wildest dreams.

“This 20th Anniversary Tour is a thank you to our UK audiences and a celebration of what has been an incredible journey across two decades.”

Riverdance has been performed over 1000 times in 18 UK cities and the Irish captain of Riverdance, Andy O’Reilly said: “When I was eight my parents took me to see Riverdance in London and I just got a passion for it straight away.

“I begged my parents for a year for classes and then they finally caved in and I ended up here.

“We’ve been on tour for about 10 weeks now and the audiences have been phenomenal every time – we all get such a great buzz on stage.

“So far in Sunderland it’s been brilliant. We’re always keen to impress a new city and the audience has been extra special.”

Riverdance opened at the Empire on Monday - but tickets for the remaining four shows, which start at 8pm every evening until Saturday, are still available.

For more details go to riverdance.com/tours/ or phone Empire Theatre’s box office on 0844-871-3022.