The first is his 1986 release, Into The Light, which Chris had envisaged could be the record that might place him fully centre stage as an international artist – and so it proved, thanks to one song in particular: ‘The Lady In Red’. It was the composition which finally established him as a known singer-songwriter around the world and has since become an undeniable evergreen classic.

It achieved No. 1 status in 47 countries, including the UK, reached No.2 in America and has now sold in excess of 8 million copies. To this day, it remains one of the most played songs on the planet; in America alone, it has been the recipient of six annual ASCAP (Association of Composers and Publishers) Awards, presented to acknowledge it as among the Top 20 most played records in the United States in a period of 12 months.

The second album is Moonfleet & Other Stories, from 2010, which took Chris on the most ambitious, demanding and evocative journey of his long career which, by then, had resulted in albums sales approaching 50 million worldwide.

“I gave myself the biggest challenge in writing and recording that album,” Chris estimates. “It was very difficult but, ultimately, great, great fun to have done that.”

Critics were quick to call this album a tour de force, not merely since it comprises 20 original elements (including the writing of an orchestral overture by Chris), but because it’s a fully-rounded and realised musical suite based on the book, by English novelist J. Meade Falkner, from which the album takes its name.

Between them, Into The Light and Moonfleet & Others Stories encompass 36 tracks and a combined running time of 122 minutes of music, which Chris will perform in concert with full band. “As always, the aim is to connect – and also, now, to re-connect – with my audience and take it on a musical journey,” says Chris.

Chris De Burgh will perform at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on October 13 2019, and at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, on October 15.

Tickets from €59 including booking fee go on sale this Friday 19 October at 9am