BARBARA Dickson is without a doubt one of the UK's most popular and versatile singers and actresses, and has become an institution in her own right.

As part of her new 2006 UK tour, she makes a return visit to Malvern Theatres for one night on Saturday, February 4 after previous sell-out visits.

Her life is fascinating. At seventeen, she left her home in Dunfermline for Edinburgh, working as a civil servant by day and folk club singer by night.

In 1974 she got her big break when Liverpool playwright, Willy Russell offered her the singing and commentary role in his musical John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert. After an extended run in Liverpool, the show transferred to the West End for a highly successful year.

It was during the late 1970's that Barbara established herself with a string of hit singles and albums as well as an array of television appearances on shows such as The Two Ronnies.

Barbara's popularity reached new heights in the 80s with hits such as January, February and her No. 1 single recorded with Elaine Paige, I Know Him So Well. Her album All for a Song, stayed in the charts for almost a year, selling more than 600,000 copies in Britain alone. This period also saw Barbara's career turn another corner when Willy Russell approached her again to play the lead role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers.

The role quickly became her own and the result, the Society of West End Theatres Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

She also undertook a host of sold out concert tours throughout the UK.

During the 1990's, Barbara was busy as a recording artist with blossoming as an actress and appeared on television with gritty performances such as Anita Braithwaite in ITV's Band of Gold.

Her success was crowned in 2001 when she was awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List for 'services to music and drama'.

Barbara Dickson performs in the Forum Theatre, Malvern, on Saturday, February 4. Tickets cost £20. Call the box office on 01684 892277 or visit www.malvern-theat-res.co.uk.