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Kate Bush announced today she will return to the stage with a series of London shows — 35 years after she retired from touring.

The singer made the surprise announcement this morning that she will play a 15-date residency at the Hammersmith Apollo — her first live appearances since 1979. The gigs will be called Before the Dawn, with the first taking place on August 26.

The 55-year-old singer has only toured once in her career — a six-week jaunt around Britain and Europe when she was 20, a year after she topped the charts with Wuthering Heights. Three years ago she said she would love to play again live before she became “too ancient”.

For long periods Bush has largely withdrawn from public life to bring up her son, Bertie. Her 2005 album Aerial was her first release for 12 years, followed by a collection of reworked songs from earlier albums called The Director’s Cut.

A message on her website said: “I am delighted to announce that we will be performing some live shows this coming August and September... I hope you will be able to join us and I look forward to seeing you there.”

Kate Bush through the ages - in pictures 26 show all Kate Bush through the ages - in pictures 1/26 2/26 3/26 4/26 5/26 6/26 7/26 8/26 9/26 10/26 11/26 12/26 13/26 14/26 Singer Cliff Richard pictured with Kate Bush pose for a photo-call at the Royal Albert Memorial. 15/26 16/26 17/26 Michael Palin presents Kate Bush with her Melody Maker readers poll award. REXSCANPIX. 18/26 19/26 20/26 21/26 Kate BushSinger. REXSCANPIX. 22/26 23/26 24/26 25/26 26/26 1/26 2/26 3/26 4/26 5/26 6/26 7/26 8/26 9/26 10/26 11/26 12/26 13/26 14/26 Singer Cliff Richard pictured with Kate Bush pose for a photo-call at the Royal Albert Memorial. 15/26 16/26 17/26 Michael Palin presents Kate Bush with her Melody Maker readers poll award. REXSCANPIX. 18/26 19/26 20/26 21/26 Kate BushSinger. REXSCANPIX. 22/26 23/26 24/26 25/26 26/26

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Theories about her absence from the stage include her perfectionism, a fear of flying and the death of one of the tour crew, lighting director Bill Duffield, during a show.

In a rare interview with Mojo magazine she said her silence on the touring circuit was down to sheer exertion. “It was enormously enjoyable. But physically it was absolutely exhausting," she said.

"I still don't give up hope completely that I'll be able to do some live work, but it's certainly not in the picture at the moment because I just don't quite know how that would work with how my life is now."

Last year she was awarded a CBE for services to music.

Tickets for the shows go on sale from 9.30am Friday March 28, with tickets costing between £49 and £135.

Before the Dawn, Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, Aug 26–Sep 19, katebush.com/news/dawn