A FORMER Pop Idol contestant has said he is looking forward to bringing his new band to the area later this month.

Aaron Bayley, who appeared in the final ten of the TV show two years ago, is playing at Hambleton Forum, in Northallerton, on February 28.

Since the show ended, his work as a solo artist has taken off and last year he gathered together four musicians to form a band.

They have already released an album, a single is due out in June and they are currently playing to sold out venues across the North-East.

Bayley said: "I have never played at the Forum but I know it has a good reputation for hosting plays, live performances and local bands.

"It's nice playing to 10,000 people at Wembley Arena, but I get a special buzz when I'm singing in the North-East. They are my kind of people."

Forum manager Richard Dowson said: "We are pleased to welcome Aaron to the Forum. It is his first visit to us but we are expecting it to be a huge sell-out success."

Tickets for the concert are £8 and are available by calling the credit card hotline on 0191 2303463.

Published: 12/02/2004