Singer Cohen announces world tour

Cohen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday

Legendary singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen has announced a world tour - his first for 15 years.

The tour starts in June in Toronto, Canada - where Cohen began his career - before he embarks on European dates.

The 73-year-old singer will also perform at festivals such as Montreux, Glastonbury and the Big Chill.

Rob Hallett from promoter AEG Live said: "For many, this tour will be the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the legend that is Leonard Cohen."

Details of the tour were announced hours after Cohen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the US, alongside Madonna, John Mellencamp, The Ventures and The Dave Clark Five.

Festivals

The UK leg will also include four nights at Manchester's Opera House in June as part of the city's International Festival, as well as gigs at Edinburgh Castle and London's O2 Arena.

The European part of the tour, which concludes in September, will also visit cities including Prague, Girona, Copenhagen, Bruges and Istanbul.

Cohen, famous for songs such as Chelsea Hotel, So Long Marianne and Bird on a Wire, has been a revered and influential artist since the 1960s. He released his most recent album, Dear Heather, in 2004.

As well as his music, Cohen has enjoyed a long career as a poet.