GLOBAL music superstar Rihanna is returning to the North East following the announcement of her hotly-anticipated world tour.

Rihanna, the top-selling digital artist of all time, is set to take to the stage at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light (SAFC) on Saturday, June 18, as part of her Anti World Tour.

The Stadium of Light, one of only six venues in the UK, and the only stadium show between Coventry and Scotland to host the Bajan star.

Rihanna has become a modern music icon, selling 54 million albums and 210 million digital tracks worldwide. She has also released seven albums in seven years, achieved 13 Number One singles and won eight Grammy Awards. She is also the most viewed artist on Vevo/YouTube with over 7 billion views.

Supporting Rihanna on the tour will be The Weekend, whose album Beauty Behind The Madness reached number 1 in the UK charts, and American rapper Big Sean.

Gary Hutchinson, Commercial Director at SAFC, said: “Since the initial announcement we have seen huge interest in this concert and we are delighted to be part of such a gigantic global tour.

“Rihanna’s achievements speak volumes and we look forward to be welcoming her back in 2016, a year in which is quieter in terms of stadium concerts, so we expect a lot of demand for this show”

The tour announcement coincides with the anticipated release of Rihanna’s eighth studio album ANTI.

Tickets are available from the Stadium of Light ticket office and from approved ticket agents.