Grimsby singer Gary Williams's work as the headline act on Royal Caribbean's Splendour Of The Seas cruise ship takes him all over the globe, but he still looks forward to coming back to his home town, as entertainment reporter Lucy Greensmith discovered

GARY, a self-proclaimed "motivated, happy and lucky" guy, has been hard at work recently trying to learn Portuguese, so he can communicate with his audience.

Until April, when he will be coming home to play a gig in Cleethorpes, he will be the headline act on Royal Carribbean's Splendour Of The Seas, as it heads into its Brazilian season.

And, as the audiences are almost 100 per cent Brazilian, he has reason to be more nervous than usual before taking to stage.

He said: "It's been a lot of work, but worth it. The audiences are incredible and performing live is amazing ... if they like you!

"If they don't, or you screw up, it's horrible.

"The trick is to be prepared. The thought of standing in front of 1,500 people and not knowing what I am doing is terrifying.

"That's why I spend a lot of time in preparation before each show I do. If I didn't, I would be a nervous wreck."

The singer, who will take to the stage at the Parkway Cinema, Cleethorpes, on April 29, exactly a week after getting home from the cruise, specialises in classic crooners, such as Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra.

And his homecoming show will be more of the same.

He said: "It's a new show called Sinatra Jukebox, where the audience members choose the songs they want to hear from 100 Sinatra classics. It's a lot of fun.

"My last three shows all sold out quickly, so we've made sure tickets are on sale now."

Gary added that he always loves performing at home, because it is "like a social occasion".

He said: "I don't get home as often as I would like, so it's lovely for me to catch up with friends and family."

However, live shows are not the only thing in Gary's repertoire.

He said: "My Sinatra album was released in Japan last year and I am delighted to say that the record company has just told me it will soon release my Nat King Cole album there, too.

"I have a tour in Japan next November, so it will be exciting to experience some new places.

"I am not recording anything new right now, but I have a few ideas for future prospects."

See for yourself

Gary will take the stage at the Parkway from 8pm on Sunday, April 29. To book tickets, call 01472 290100.