“And that was kind of the end of that relationship. But it gave us a name, Hot Chocolate, and it made it easier for us to open doors and make our next move.”

The band, formed by Errol and Tony Wilson, went on to become a hit-making machine.

Not only was Errol its face, but in time he also became its key songwriter, acted as management and worked closely on the production side of things with industry stalwart Mickie Most.

Hot Chocolate actually split in 1985 – “people don’t realise it was more than 20 years ago,” Errol laughs.

He went on to enjoy some solo success, with his talents recognised by virtue of some very significant awards, and has written songs for other artists including Herman’s Hermits and Mary Hopkin, being awarded an MBE in 2003 for services to music and an Ivor Novello lifetime achievement award the following year.

But, like the live performances he is wrapping up now, he knew when it was something he no longer wanted to do.

“I don’t write songs any more,” he says.

“There’s no burning desire and that kind of went about 10 years ago.

“I have said what I wanted to say. I think it could be brought back again – say a film project or something different to inspire my creativity, but not to try and generate a hit record.”

It’s become something of an urban myth that Errol previously came out of retirement, following the re-issue of You Sexy Thing, off the back of the success of Brit flick The Full Monty.

He laughs off how that came to be considered common knowledge and says he had been working away regardless.

And now, after the farewells, the singer, who it is hard to believe recently turned 60, will return to his permanent home in the Bahamas.

“It’s a peaceful place to be,” he says. “The sun and the sea . . . When you’ve travelled all around the world all these years, it’s nice to find that peace and quiet.”

But Errol, who was born in Jamaica and moved to England at the age of 12, says it really is important to see the UK off properly.

“It is where it all began and this was my home,” he says.

“It’s where we had the success to give us confidence to move on and create, and it has a special place in my heart.”

He begins rehearsing for the five-week tour today before setting out at the start of next month.

“The audience are going to get all the songs they grew up with and are fans of, and it will end up a raging party,” he says.

“My roots are a mix of all calibres of music – calypso, rock ’n’ roll, Motown and soul, a real pot-pourri of feels and rhythms.

“So we’re going to have great fun and I hope everybody comes along with their dancing shoes on because we’re going to dance and sing all night long.” No stranger to the Philharmonic Hall, he says he’s particularly looking forward to coming back to Liverpool.

“The Liverpool audiences are really tremendous,” he says without prompt.

“I noticed that tickets for the shows are moving faster in Liverpool than anywhere. I’ve had so much fun up there in concert before, people always love being part of it and it’s all real special.”

* ERROL BROWN plays Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on February 22.

vickyanderson