'Retired' Turner plans UK dates

Turner said the response to her Grammy show was 'overwhelming'

Tina Turner is to play four concerts in the UK - eight years after announcing her retirement from touring.

The Grammy Award-winning singer played a farewell world tour in 2000 that was supposed to mark the end of her career as a live performer.

But Turner, 68, revealed earlier this month that she planned a comeback tour of the US, and will now also perform in London and Manchester in March 2009.

Tickets for the UK dates are due to go on sale on 28 May.

Turner said her appearance with Beyonce at this year's Grammy Awards sparked an interest in taking to the road again.

UK DATES 3 March - London (O2 Arena) 4 March - London (O2 Arena) 30 March - Manchester (MEN Arena) 31 March - Manchester (MEN Arena)

She said: "After performing with Beyonce at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, the response was overwhelming.

"Everywhere I went people were asking me when I was going back on tour. So after a lot of thought and planning we announced an American tour.

"Now Europe beckons and I don't want to let down all my loyal fans over there. See you in the New Year."

Turner's new show will feature songs spanning her entire career, organisers said.

Her set will include hits from River Deep Mountain High and Proud Mary, to What's Love Got to Do With It and The Best.

Turner's tour in 2000 saw the singer perform in front of 120,000 fans during two Wembley Stadium dates.