IN the early 1980s, Bucks Fizz were everywhere, and now they'll be in Tewkesbury, with an autumn gig lined up that will include the famous, or infamous, skirt-ripping routine.

Originally put together as four young performers for A Song For Europe, Bucks Fizz became a global phenomenon, when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Making Your Mind Up’ an instant hit around the world, reaching the No 1 spot in nine countries and selling four million records.

A spokesman said: "Their iconic dance routine which saw the two boys ripping off the two girls' skirts halfway through the song rocked the Eurovision stages as judges pinged in score after score. Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan, Jay Aston and Bobby G became overnight household names.

"They soon became a British institution, and toured extensively. But disaster struck in December 1984 when at the peak of their success, their tour coach was involved in a collision which resulted in Mike Nolan sustaining a serious head injury. Following his recovery, they were hit by more bad news; Jay Aston wanted to leave the group."

Although they had another top ten hit, with Jay’s replacement, Shelley Preston, it proved to be their last and, over the next few years, each member left to pursue solo careers. It wasn¹t until 2007 when they were asked to reunite for the TV series, Pop Goes The Band that they met up again. Bobby decided not to be involved, but Cheryl, Mike and original member Jay began working together on stage again for the first time in 24 years in 2009. They celebrated 30 years since winning the Eurovision with a sell-out performance at The London Palladium in 2011.

The spokesman added: "Although vocally they still sounded like Bucks Fizz, without a fourth member the band felt there was a link missing. The dance routines their fans know and love, have to be performed in a group of four, so they decided to recruit a new member to carry on the legacy.

"In August, 2014 Mike rang an old friend, Bobby McVay to see if he would like to join the trio for a forthcoming tour. Bobby had also been a Eurovision contender for the UK in 1983 with the group Sweet Dreams. Bobby jumped at the suggestion and the new Bucks Fizz popped its cork."

The spokesman added: "Even Cheryl and Jay’s legs are still in enviable shape. The skirts come off and the smiles are still blazing."

The show comes to the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury on Friday, November 11.

Tickets are available at www.artistesint.com