After more than five decades on the road, beloved British music icon Leo Sayer is preparing to return to the UK in autumn 2026 for what will be his final full nationwide tour. While he insists he is not retiring completely, Leo says the tour marks the end of an era as he begins to slow the pace of live performances after 54 years on stage.

Still as passionate as ever about performing for his fans, the 78-year-old star is looking forward to revisiting towns and theatres across the country one last time on such a large scale. Ahead of the tour, we caught up with Leo to talk about life on the road, his remarkable career, and why this farewell run means so much to him.

After 54 years of performing live, what still gives you that little buzz of excitement just before walking on stage?

Oh yeah, that buzz is still there… As soon as I get onstage, the adrenaline creeps in and I’m taken over by the occasion. The audience, the band, the songs… I’m home. It’s a feeling that just doesn’t get old.

You’ve said you’re not retiring, just slowing down — what does “slowing down” look like for someone with your energy levels?

Well, the people around me came up with the term 'slowing down'; it wasn't really me. But I guess it takes a lot more out of me to keep up these appearances, and I need more recovery time these days, so spacing out the gigs (or doing fewer of them) is vital if I want to keep up the intensity of each show at the level it currently is. So, the result is I may not be touring as many cities on a UK tour in the future.

Is there one UK venue on this final full tour that holds especially strong memories for you?

I love playing theatres the best. I’m particularly happy to be returning to the Newcastle City Hall and Nottingham Theatre Royal for this tour after so many years missing those venues. There’s no one single favourite venue really, though it’s always a pleasure to be at the London Palladium, so I suppose I’d pick that one as the highlight.

If you could go back and give 24-year-old Leo one piece of advice before his career exploded, what would it be?

Well, 'never give up' is the best advice I can give. I’ve had many rocks thrown in my path, many problems, bad advice, bad moments of low prospects and moments of no money, but I never gave up on my dreams. And here I am...

Your songs have soundtracked so many people’s lives — do fans ever tell you stories that completely surprise or move you?

Yes, there’s always someone with an anecdote bon the stories in the songs, something that happened in their lives thatwhich echoes in my lyrics. It’s always surprising when I hear these connections… and very touching.

You’re releasing both a box set and your first autobiography this year. Was it stranger revisiting your music catalogue or revisiting your younger self?

Not really – I mean, I’ve lived every moment, carried it all forward with me. Sometimes I don’t listen to the early albums so much, and it’s nice to hear them again, as I’ve had to do in putting together this box set. I’m amazed constantly that the oldest albums still sound so good, and every song still seems to fit.

What did writing Just A Boy teach you about your own life that maybe you hadn’t realised before?

There were many moments I’d forgotten about which became apparent researchingh for the book. I counted over one thousand shows performed to date and have memories that came back about most of them as I went through the list.

Your music has crossed generations. What’s it like seeing parents, children and even grandchildren all singing the same songs back to you?

Oh, that’s the best bit. When you realise how the generations have passed the music down to the younger ones, it’s so great to see. Sometimes whole families are at the shows, young and old. It means something to each of them. Then you find young kids asking you about the songs on records they got from their folks or even from second-hand stores. It’s very moving, humbling even.

Do you still remember the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio, and what did that moment feel like?

The first time was with David Courtney, my co-writer, listening to Roger Daltrey on the radio singing our song Giving It All Away - in 1973. We knew right then we’d created something very, very special - but it was just the start.

Of all your hits, which song has changed meaning for you the most over the years?

Good question, but hard to answer. Most have retained their original purpose, the original message. The peculiar thing about song lyrics is that they always seem to adapt to the time you are singing them in, if that makes sense. To me, even if they inevitably must get slightly updated the longer you perform them, essentially, those original efforts have become timeless, set in stone.

You’ve always brought such physical energy to the stage — have you ever had a performance where you thought, 'Right, maybe I am getting older'?

Mostly only before the gig. I may allow myself to think that as I'm walking onstage! As soon as I’m up there, the spirit takes over. I’m waiting for that realisation of impending old age to come and tap me on the shoulder, but thankfully it hasn’t happened yet.

If your entire career had to be summed up in three words, what would they be?

Enjoyed every minute.

Touring the UK means visiting so many towns and theatres — do you have any quirky rituals or must-haves when you’re on the road?

No, I just relax and enjoy the experience. Although I happily live in Australia these days, I love visiting Britain and the countryside. Being back here is a real buzz for me.

Is there a song in your catalogue that you think deserves more love from fans than it gets?

Not really. I regularly dig out what some call ‘deep cuts’ to perform, and in doing that I am always surprised that they are recognised. There’s a lot of contrast in the material, and I’m happy that such a wide range of songs is appreciated.

When audiences leave these 2026 shows, what do you hope they’ll be feeling on the journey home?

Happy. That’s my job – to entertain and spread happiness. Provide a bit of optimism in what is a tough world these days. I hope they’ll feel as content as I do in my performance.



Can’t Stop Loving You UK Tour northern shows for autumn 2026:
29 October Skegness Embassy
30 October York Barbican
31 October Buxton Opera House
6 November Manchester Bridgewater Hall
7 November Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
10 November Nottingham Theatre Royal
12 November Newcastle City Hall
13 November Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
15 November Edinburgh Usher Hall
https://tix.to/LeoLive26