They’re known for their soaring ballads and energetic pop productions, but boyband Blue will be bringing a whole new feel to the BIC this week.

“We’re taking it back to the old school,” explained ‘Dorset boy’ Duncan James.

“It’s quite Motown-y.

“We’ve got a great, old school choreographer from the States who specialises in the old Temptations style.

“It’s very much Bruno Mars, with a band section. It’s going to be very different.”

Duncan, who grew up in Blandford, took a break from rehearsals for the tour, which begins in Portsmouth tonight, to chat to Seven Days.

“I never really get a chance to go back to Bournemouth, because I’m always working,” he said.

“It’s always nice to have a trip down memory lane and have a look around Bournemouth.

“I grew up in Blandford, went to QE for a bit, in Wimborne.

“My mum moved to Bournemouth and we lived in Parley Cross for a while, so I’m a Dorset boy.

“My grandparents are buried in Blandford, and my uncle lives in Charminster, he’s still there, so I’ve got family there.”

Duncan, 36, and his Blue bandmates, Antony Costa, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe, were last in town a year ago as part of The Big Reunion’s Boyband tour, after first appearing on the show two years ago.

Despite some on-screen banter between the bands, Duncan said it was one big happy family.

“We got on really well,” he insisted.

“I thought it was going to be, on the second tour, very testosterone heavy. But everyone got on really well and it was a really nice tour to do.”

The band’s latest tour follows the release of their fifth studio album, Colours, earlier this month and, when the UK leg finishes, the foursome are off to Asia and Europe.

“We’ve got a big fan base over there, so it’s a great opportunity to get back out there,” explained Duncan.

It’s clear dad-of-one Duncan is a busy man – he called Seven Days immediately after an interview for The Wright Stuff.

So how does he like to relax, when he does get a rare day off?

“I like going to the gym,” he said.

“It’s quite important to de-stress. I like to go to the gym and have a workout, or a massage.

“Also going out for a nice meal is always nice, and spending time with family, friends. All that kind of stuff.”

But for now, Duncan is focused on the tour ahead – and that trip down memory lane.

“We’re excited to be coming back down south,” he said.

“Playing to the Bournemouth crowd always goes down really well. We love playing Bournemouth, we just can’t wait to come back.”

  • Blue are at the BIC on Friday