"Welcome to the final year of twenty five mind blowing years," says Mick Hucknall of Simply Red’s final shows. "What an adventure it has been!"

Simply Red's classic pop and elegant ballads have provided an uplifting and emotional soundtrack to our turbulent times. The band will say their farewells all over the world this year, after what has been a remarkable 25 years.

The Farewell Tour calls in at The NIA on Tuesday 14 December and tickets priced £40 and £45 plus booking and transaction fee are available online at theticketfactory.com or by calling The Ticket Factory on 0844 338 8000.

Since their first tour in 1985, Simply Red have played over 1,100 shows to over 11 million people, notched up over 55 million global sales, over 31 Top 40 UK singles, 3 BRIT Awards, 2 Ivor Novellos, 2 US No.1 Singles and a MOBO Special Achievement.

"I could never have imagined my career would bring me so far," added Mick Hucknall. "We want to share this closing anniversary with all the people who have enjoyed our sound throughout the years. Celebrate it and gently move on to the second half of a musical story. We all hope to see you at a show somewhere soon."

Simply Red grew out of Manchester and their first UK university/club tour in 1985 and quickly graduated to Europe and the USA in 1986.

By 1987 they had conquered New Zealand and Australia and in 1989 they toured South America and Japan for the first time. By 1990 they had become a true global arena act and continued at that level until this day. Last year’s Greatest Hits tour notched up a further 1 million people across the World.

Simply Red will play their final Farewell shows after a quarter of a century of touring, allowing Mick Hucknall to pursue a solo career and begin a brand new chapter.

The band will play their final farewell shows in South America in April, then in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the UK from September to December.