In news that will likely be met with a mixture of enthusiasm and blank-faced ambivalence, Barry Manilow has announced an Irish date, his first since 1996. Thank heavens for that.

Still, we're sure there's a market here for Manilow's back catalogue of pop-friendly crowd pleasers. The gig will takes place in The O2 on May 23rd next, with tickets going on sale on November 17th at 9am.