Robbie hits the road

Robbie Williams has taken Ian Dury's place as Unicef ambassador

Pop star Robbie Williams is to go on a British tour later this year - his first in three years.

The former Take That singer last hit the road in September 1997, in a tour which preceded the worldwide success of his hit single Angels.

Robbie on the road

9-10 October : Birmingham NEC

16-17 October: Glasgow SECC

20 October: Newcastle Arena

23-24 October: Manchester MEN Arena

31 Oct - 2 Nov: London Arena

Williams will play five venues in England and Scotland, starting off at the Birmingham NEC on 9 October, and passing through Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester, before ending at the London Arena in the capital's Docklands on 2 November.

Further shows are expected to be added to the original list.

Williams, whose new single Rock DJ is released on 31 July, performed at a benefit show for his late friend Ian Dury earlier this month.

The 26-year-old has taken Dury's place as an ambassador for the United Nations' children's charity, Unicef.

On Wednesday, he launched an internet campaign to raise awareness of the plight of children orphaned by HIV and Aids.

Last month he visited Mozambique for the charity, and he also appears in a short film which is featured on Unicef's Break The Silence website, which went live on Thursday.