Having out-sold the nearest competition 3-1, James Blunt soared to number one yesterday (September 23) with his stunning new album, All the Lost Souls.

Now he's heading back out on the road with a welcome return to Plymouth Pavilions on Friday 18 January 2008, as part of a nine-date tour of the UK.

It was in 2005 that James Blunt shot to fame, dominating the 2006 Brit Awards ceremony and three days later playing to a sell out crowd of 4,000 at Plymouth Pavilions.

Since releasing Back to Bedlem, Blunt has sold eleven million CDs worldwide, with his album reaching number one in eighteen countries and charting in the top 10 in a further thirty five.

His fantastic list of accomplishments includes being nominated for five Grammys, landing the first number one single in the US (You're Beautiful) by a British act since Elton John's Candle in the Wind in 1997 and winning two MTV Awards and two Brit Awards.

After heading off to write his second album in Ibiza in 2006, Blunt is back with his latest offering, All the Lost Souls, which features the hit single 1973 which reached number four in first week of release.

In fact, some songs from his new album may be familiar to fans who were lucky enough to see him at his Plymouth gig back in 2006, as five of the songs were written and tested while out on the road!

Recorded in Los Angeles, both the single and album were produced and mixed by Tom Rothrock, who oversaw Back to Bedlam.

"For me, there was absolutely no pressure whatsoever," said Blunt. "Having sold over 11 million albums, I know that the likelihood of doing that again is really minimal. Instead of setting that as a target, I set out to do and record something that I really enjoy, that I’m really happy with."

All the Lost Souls is a 10-song album about life and death, showing tremendous growth from Back to Bedlam, which Blunt calls "a very honest, slightly naïve collection of thoughts, emotions, and experiences. I wrote them without any knowledge that anyone would hear them".

The album opens with the layered, rollicking 1973, a nostalgic look back at sharing great times with friends. Songs such as One of the Brightest Stars and Annie deal with the vagaries and distortions that fame can bring. Carry You Home and I'll Take Everything tackle our fragile mortality, while I Really Want You and Same Mistake showcase Blunt at his most vulnerable.

Tickets cost £25 and will go on sale on Friday 28 September at 10am. To book tickets contact the box office on 0845 146 1460 or visit www.plymouthpavilions.com where it is cheaper to book online rather than over the phone.