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Bucks Fizz singer Bobby Gee is a cruise holiday fan and thinks they are ‘absolutely the best kind of holiday people can have’.

Bobby, 63, says he can’t wait be performing on Saga Sapphire’s 80s themed ‘Springtime in the Fjords’ cruise which departs from Dover on May 12, 2017.

Bucks Fizz shot to fame after winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with Making Your Mind Up going straight to No. 1 in the music charts.

More hits followed with The Land of Make Believe and The Camera Never Lies, making it three No. 1s in a row, and Bucks Fizz went on to become one of the most successful pop groups of the 1980s.

Although Bobby has travelled all over the world he says cruising is his favourite kind of holiday.
He said: “On a cruise, not only are you in quality surroundings with wonderful accommodation, food and service, but you wake up in new destinations to enjoy new experiences almost every day – it really is the best of the best in terms of holiday experiences.”

Bobby says the band will be playing many of their hit singles on board Saga’s 700-guest ship. He said: “We perform songs in the way they were originally sung and, yes, the skirts still come off for the Making Your Mind Up routine!

“We give our audience what they want – all the songs they know, plus an eighties mix; that’s our era and hopefully it will be go down well. We want everyone to enjoy the music, sing along and get up and dance.

“It annoys me when some acts ignore the material that made them famous. They sometimes want to move on and perform music from a new album that nobody knows. When I go to see a favourite band I want to hear their hits. You listen to records for decades and that’s what you know and love.”

Bobby and his wife Heidi Manton now lead Bucks Fizz and singers Tammy Choat and Paul Yates make up the foursome.

“The blond hair has gone now,” says Bobby. “In my case, there is a little grey showing through!”

He added: “I do think that 60 is the new 40, although after the coach crash in 1984 when Bucks Fizz were touring, I injured my back and was told it would be a problem for the rest of my life.

“I am fine but I rarely sleep through a whole night because if I do it takes me half an hour to loosen up. I feel fresher in the morning if I get up a couple of times during the night – so a couple of cups of tea before I go bed usually does the trick!”

As well as performing on Saga Sapphire the band will join a Question and Answer session. “We love meeting new people,” says Bobby. “We don’t usually get a chance to mix and make friends when we’re touring but it is easy to be sociable on a cruise ship.

“It’s an opportunity to enjoy completely different company and meet people from every walk of life.

“I have travelled in Scandinavia many times but it will be the first time I’ll have time to savour the experience. When we were on tour we rarely stopped to enjoy the sights.”

The Springtime in the Fjords scenic cruise calls at Bergen, Olden, Flam and Stavanger, offering full days in each port. The call to Stavanger coincides with Norway’s National Day so passengers will be able to join in the celebrations and admire the Norwegians in their traditional dress.

“I will absolutely love that,” said Bobby. “I may be working but this cruise is going to be a real treat.”

Ends

For details visit saga.co.uk/ocean-cruises or call 0800 50 50 30

Seven nights from £1,334 departing on May 12, 2017. Price includes UK travel package to and from Dover, all meals and entertainment, choice of table wines at lunch and dinner, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, unlimited tea and coffee in selected venues, free Wi-Fi internet, all on-board gratuities, porterage, free shuttle bus to nearest town centre (whenever possible and when the ship is berthed more than 500 yards away), optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if passenger has own insurance.

Price based on two people sharing the lowest available Inside cabin and includes any relevant booking discount. Fare was correct at the time of sending and is subject to availability and change. Further terms and conditions apply. Please call for details.'

Contact PR Manager Naomi Thornton email naomi.thornton@saga.co.uk or call 01303 772499