LYN Paul is to reprise her role as mother-of-new-twins Mrs Johnstone in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers for the final time at the age of 70.

The New Seekers singer will perform at the Grand Opera House, York, from October 28 to November 2 on a tour running from August 6 to November 23.

Blood Brothers' epic tale of Liverpool life revolves around the moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The pick of its songs are A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged Tell Me It’s Not True.

"I am beyond thrilled to be returning to Blood Brothers in this iconic role," says Lyn. "I'm honoured to have been given the opportunity to undertake this 'Farewell Tour' by my good friend, [producer] Bill Kenwright. It's such a privilege to be able to play Mrs Johnstone one final time."

Lyn first did so in 1997 and subsequently on numerous tours, as well in the the final West End performances at the Phoenix Theatre, London, in 2012. She also has starred as Fraulein Schneide in the UK tour of Cabaret in 2013 and appeared in Boy George’s musical Taboo and Footloose, The Musical.

Lyn rose to fame in the early 1970s in The New Seekers, being the featured vocalist on their 1972 Eurovision Song Contest entry Beg, Steal Or Borrow and lead vocalist on the 1974 chart topper You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me. The group's biggest hit was the 20 million-selling I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing, adapted from an advertising jingle for Coca-Cola.

In Blood Brothers, young mother Mrs Johnstone is deserted by her husband. Left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children, she takes a job as a housekeeper to make ends meet.Soon her already brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again, this time with twins. In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer that leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax.

Lyn previously played Mrs Johnstone at the Grand Opera House in November 2016. Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright for the new tour, she will visit Hull New Theatre from October 22 to 26, as well as York the following week.

York tickets are on sale on 0844 871 3024 or at atg.tickets.com/york; Hull, 01482 300306 or hulltheatres.co.uk.

Charles Hutchinson