The singer has been working towards retirement for several years, but the acclaim surrounding his 2013 release A Feast Of Consequences has led to offers of live work he doesn't want to refuse.

And he wants to take the time to ensure that, when he goes, he's left a body of work as high in quality as it can be. Writing sessions for his final record will take place during the coming months, recorded early next year and released before the summer, leading to another European tour before a farewell season throughout 2017.

The former Marillion frontman reflects: "I feel comfortable with the scheduling - it gives me the time to prepare for the next important steps in my life. It means I will be retiring from the music business just before my 60th birthday, which I think is a pretty good time to ring the changes.

"I know there will be some of you who perhaps disagree with this ambition, and many who will be disappointed. But a man has to have a plan, and this is mine as I stare into a future which holds a lot of promise and new adventures."