KEANE frontman Tom Chaplin has been open about his drug addiction problems and mental health issues, after he confessed to hitting rock bottom in 2014.

But following a huge response to his concert recorded at The London Palladium for BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night Is Music Night series, Tom is back on the road to celebrate the music of Queen on a six-date tour which includes a visit to Bournemouth Pavilion this month.

Backed by the same 24-piece Leo Green Orchestra that accompanied him at The Palladium, Chaplin will perform an array of hits including Somebody To Love, Don’t Stop Me Now, Killer Queen and Bohemian Rhapsody as he celebrates the life and music of one of the most enduring bands of all time.

We caught up with Tom to ask some questions ahead of his visit...

How have you found it singing the songs of Queen?

“I certainly remember [Queen’s] music being a huge part of my life, probably when I was 6-8 years old and all this great music flowing out. I just remember not only loving the songs, and the kind of style and the flamboyance of them, but also this whole other side to them. There was Freddie [Mercury] and their personalities. For me they represent and have always represented the perfect rock n roll band, they have every aspect that you could ask for and they have this cultural impact.

“The biggest impact, in terms of as a musician, is in Freddie’s singing. I wasn’t to know this, but after my voice broke and when I developed as a singer, I discovered I had the same range as him. That’s actually quite a rare thing, certainly more or less the same high range, maybe there are some notes which I can’t quite managed but I’m basically there. Having that discovery was the circle completing itself, because as a kid I just wanted to be like Freddie, but suddenly I had this fortunate gift that I could hit all those big notes. Inevitably I absorbed Freddie’s singing style into what I did so I was able to hit those top notes. I think you hear that in a lot of Keane songs, we do have those big soaring epic moments alla Freddie.”

What was it like singing with Queen?

“I performed with Queen and it was a very surreal experience…. [as I was] waiting in the wings just before going on stage, Brian [May] gives this very gushing introduction to me, saying ‘Tom’s in one of the great bands at the moment called Keane, and Tom’s chosen a song which we haven’t played since Freddie died and I know he’s going to absolutely nail it, so here it is!’.

“Part of me was in bits because of how lovely the introduction was, and then part of me was absolutely terrified because of part of that introduction I absolutely need to nail this song. As it happened, it was one of my proudest moments as a singer for many reasons. Brian and Roger [Taylor] filled me with confidence before, during and after the performance because they were so lovely and so warm…That is one of those things which will stay with me till the end of my life remembering that moment.”

How have you found the project?

“It’s been a big challenge. I’ve prepared as much as I can for this show. I’ve practised like crazy. I feel like I know the songs inside out. The problem is, when the lights go out and you’re in front of all those people, it’s a very different kind of pressure than singing to cheap karaoke versions in your car.

“When you are performing you start breathing in the wrong places, you start forgetting lines without thinking, you start thinking too hard. But ultimately, I love the songs so much and I’ve worked so hard at it that I just want to enjoy it and give it my all. Yes, there are things which will go wrong, but there are also things which will go really right and it’s about savouring that and enjoying that.”

The Songs of Queen starring Tom Chaplin visits Bournemouth Pavilion on Thursday, April 18.