FORMER X Factor star Ray Quinn is set to drop his first new album in 13 years - and he’s been shooting a new music video at Liverpool Hope University.
Singer and actor Ray, 31, last launched an assault on the charts with 2007’s Doing It My Way.
But his new album, Undeniable, is now on pre-order - a collection of contemporary classics and original songs, that include tracks recorded by artists such as Sir Tom Jones, Matt Monro and Christopher Cross.
Knowsley native Ray, who most recently won plaudits as murderous far right extremist Jonny Baxter in Hollyoaks, chose Hope’s Capstone Theatre as the venue to shoot the video for his first single, original song They Say Love, which is out in April.
Ray told Hope: “We wanted the video to feel intimate and we looked at lots of different venues. When I walked into the room at the Capstone Theatre, everything just felt right.
“I had a really good gut feeling that I could create something special and it’s all coming together perfectly.
“There’s something about the acoustics in the theatre, too, that makes you feel as if you’re part of a real performance. It’s a real gem and I can’t wait to do some shows here, too.”
Ray is no stranger to theatre, himself, having starred in a string of successful West End shows like Grease and Dirty Dancing and touring the UK in The Wedding Singer and Summer Holiday.
He explains: “Music has always been in my remit. I’ve been in so many different shows and musicals over the years that it’s never felt quite right to go back into the studio until now.
“It all began when I performed a one-off gig of classic songs - I said to my manager ‘Why fix it if it isn’t broken? This is what I’m supposed to be doing.’
“I’ve been recording the new album down the road at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool.
“My record label has supported my choice of songs and over the last 12 months I’ve been in the studio recording with a fabulous 40 piece orchestra.
“The moment you press play, you’re reminiscing and hearing songs where you’re not sure if it’s an original or a reimagining of a classic.
“Being a dad to two children and hitting my thirties means I’ve grown up - I think I’ve settled as a man.
“Where I might have chased something I didn’t necessarily want in the past, I’ve now taken control of something that I want to do.”
Former Brookside star Ray, who shot to fame on reality TV show The X Factor in 2006, says there’s a particular track on the new album that really resonates.
He adds: “It’s hard to pick a favourite track - there’s too many, and that’s why they’re all on there!
“But I guess the one that really stands out is If I Never Sing Another Song by Matt Monro. It acknowledges the fact that I’ve been in the game for 22 years, including acting. That’s a long time.
“It’s great when it’s great, but it’s bad when it’s bad. It’s a tough industry - and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“And I think If I Never Sing Another Song is a case of saying, ‘You know what, if I never sing another song, I’ll be alright. But I’m not quite sure if I’d cope - because 'it's a part of me’. It was one of the first songs chosen for the album and the way we’ve recorded it, it’s epic!”
To follow Ray on twitter: @therealRayQuinn
For more details about the Capstone Theatre, go here: