THE international smash hit musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert has returned to the North-East by popular demand.

The production starring Blue’s Duncan James as Tick is at the Sunderland Empire until Saturday, September 5.

Based on the movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, is described as a “heart-warming, uplifting adventure” of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of.

The musical features a a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and a hit parade of dance floor favorites including Say a Little Prayer, Go West, Hot Stuff and Always on My Mind.

As one quarter of the pop band Blue, Duncan James has sold more than 13 million records, had three number one albums and forty number one singles worldwide.

His stage credits include playing Warner Huntington III in the West End production of Legally Blonde and Billy Flynn in Chicago. He was also a finalist on ITV1’s Dancing on Ice.

Joining Duncan James are Simon Green as Bernadette, Adam Bailey as Felicia and Philip Childs as Bob.

Simon Green’s most recent stage credits include Bruce Ismay in Titanic, The World Goes Round and as Monsieur André in The Phantom of The Opera.

Adam Bailey most recently appeared as Espresso in the German production of Starlight Express. Philip Childs played the role of Bob on the 2013 tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Box office: 0844-8713022.