Craig Charles has left the comfort of his own home and headed into the Australian outback, but will return to host a huge funk and soul Christmas party with Soul II Soul, live at Blackpool’s Empress Ballroom. After turning 50 in the summer, the Coronation Street and Red Dwarf star felt going in the jungle was the perfect way to mark his landmark birthday in style.

“I’ve been asked before to go on the programme and I have always said no,” reveals Craig. “But I turned 50 this year and I thought I should do it now while I can still parachute in!

But what will he miss most?

Although he isn’t going into the camp to ‘conquer any fears’, Craig admits he is dreading the fact that he won’t be able to listen to any music – something he normally does all day long.

“I am not scared of anything,” explains the 50-year-old, who hosts a Saturday night show for BBC Radio 6 Music and the monthly Funk & Soul Club at Band on the Wall. “I am not scared of rats, bugs or heights.

“But aside from my wife, Jacquie, and my two daughters, I am going to really miss my funk and soul. I have spent my life with Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder!”
Almost as soon as Craig has washed the jungle out of his hair, he will delve back into music, hosting a huge Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club Christmas party at the Blackpool Empress Ballroom on 13 December. Craig will treat the crowd to a DJ set of the beloved funk & soul he will have missed so much and that’s not all; this very special show will feature a full live show from UK soul pioneers Soul II Soul ft. Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler.

2014 is Soul II Soul’s 25th Anniversary year and they will perform this full band, old school-style gig to celebrate. From their inception, the Soul II Soul sound was original, new, fresh, and infectious. They had a slogan "A happy face, a thumpin' bass, for a lovin' race" and with hit singles – notably with Keep On Movin' and 'Back To Life' – Soul II Soul enjoyed the type of chart success that made them household names all over the world. To date Soul II Soul have sold over 10 million albums in over 35 territories worldwide. They’ve performed in over 20 countries, and appeared at some of the most famous venues in the world including Wembley and New York's Universal Ample Theatre. This December, they add Blackpool Empress Ballroom to the list.

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