Plan B Reveals Biggest UK Tour Yet to Celebrate Chart-Topping Album

Plan B has announced his biggest UK tour to date, to celebrate new album 'The Defamation of Strickland Banks' going straight to No. 1 in the UK charts at the weekend.

A concept album featuring Plan B's alter-ego Strickland Banks, and accompanied by its own feature film to be released soon, it's the follow up to his hugely acclaimed 2006 debut, 'Who Needs Actions When You Got Words.'

Talking on his official website, the rapper, actor and Smokey Robinson sound-alike revealed that he would be taking to the stage for the autumn tour in character -- a soul singer wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit.

He explained, "He's a version of me, an alter-ego. But he's a bit more on the sensitive side, whereas Plan B is quite dark."

Plan B continued, "This guy Strickland Banks is obsessed with the '60s and dresses like he's a Motown star, so if I came onstage wearing a hood it would confuse people. When I come onstage as Strickland Banks, I am going to be suited and booted. Everyone in my band is going to be wearing trilbies ... It's all entertainment. It's allowing me to have some fun. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to rap for as long as I can rap. I'm going to rap until someone goes, 'Oi! Mate, give it a rest.' But singing soul just feels the right thing to do now."

Tickets go on sale to fans on his website mailing list Wednesday, April 21, and on general sale on Friday, April 23.

The full list of dates are:
Nottingham Rock City (October 6)
Norwich UEA (October 7)
London O2 Brixton Academy (October 9)
Bristol O2 Academy (October 11)
Southampton Guildhall (October 12)
Cambridge Corn Exchange (October 13)
Manchester O2 Academy (October 15)
Newcastle O2 Academy (October 16)
Lincoln Engine Shed (October 17)
Preston 53 Degrees (October 18)
Dundee Fat Sams (October 20)
Thursday 21st - O2 Academy, Leeds (October 21)
Birmingham O2 Academy (October 22)
Glasgow O2 Academy (October 23)

Plan B -- real name Ben Drew -- has also posted up a message on his official website to thank everyone who bought the album, and confirmed that he's now playing this year's Glastonbury Festival. He'll be on the East Dance Stage on Friday, June 25.