HOLLYWOOD star and internationally-renowned DJ, Idris Elba, will be spinning the decks at Poole’s popular new summer festival SandFest 2018.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the outdoor event, now in its second year, on the exclusive Sandbanks beach on Sunday, July 15 from 2pm until 10pm.

Event organiser and co-founder, Ty Temel, who also runs Bournemouth club Halo, said they were very excited to be bringing Luther star, Idris Elba, back to Dorset.

“He played at Halo’s fourth birthday last year and really enjoyed it, and said he would love to come back if we were doing anything else, so we thought it would be great if he could perform at SandFest this year,” Ty told the Echo.

But Ty also revealed there had been a great deal of work involved behind the scenes to make it happen.

“It’s been a logistical nightmare though, because although he wanted to be involved with SandFest, he was also committed to an event in Ibiza, so we’ve had to work with his management to make it happen. We’re now hiring a private jet to fly him in from Ibiza to Hurn airport, and then he’ll get straight back on the jet after the event and fly back to Ibiza!”

Around 5,000 revellers attended last year’s inaugural SandFest which included big names like Faithless and Tinie Tempah as well as other renowned international DJs and live acts.

“We are trying to have a similar line up to last year so we have a little bit of everything to suit everyone’s tastes,” said Ty, who is based in Bournemouth.

“Idris Elba is well recognised as a top DJ internationally. In fact he used to DJ before he started acting so I believe, and says he really enjoys it. I guess it’s a break from everything else he’s involved in - something a little bit different.”

Ty added: “We were really lucky with the weather last year so we’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

A second headline act and other acts will be revealed over the next few weeks.

n Tickets for Sandfest 2018 are on sale now from £30 to £55 for a VIP tickets. For more details, visit sandfest.co.uk

Idris Elba OBE, is best known for playing DCI John Luther in the BBC One series Luther, as well as Stringer Bell in the HBO series, The Wire, and Nelson Mandela in the biographical film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.