Blue Unveils Their First Tour in Ten Years with the Reunion of Lee Ryan

Blue is hitting the road with a spectacular celebration of their greatest hits, causing waves of excitement among their devoted fans. This reunion tour also brings with it the return of Lee Ryan, who's been in the spotlight due to a series of high-profile incidents in recent months.

The backdrop for this reunion is significant, given that Lee Ryan recently revealed his diagnosis of autism and ADHD, both of which he has been working to understand and manage.

Blue's upcoming tour holds particular importance for Lee, as it marks his return to the stage after his sentencing for racially aggravated assault against a Black British Airways flight attendant. In a trial held in January, Lee was found guilty of making inappropriate comments and actions toward the crew member, which led to his arrest in July 2022. As a result, he received a 12-month suspended prison sentence, though he vehemently denied any racist intent.

The announcement of the tour came via various platforms, with Duncan James, 45, sharing the news on "Good Morning Britain." The rest of the group, including Antony Costa, 42, and Simon Webbe, 44, joined in through a social media video.

In their video, the group members exuberantly stated, 'Hi, we’re Blue! And our Greatest Hits Tour tickets are on pre-sale from 9 am on Wednesday and on general sale from Friday at 9 am. Can’t wait to see you there!'

Antony expressed his excitement by saying, 'We really hope you come along and celebrate two decades of music with us,' and Simon hinted at some storytelling, promising, 'We'll be doing all of our hits and, also, there'll be some storytelling. Yes, we’ve got some stories…'

Duncan affectionately chimed in, 'I love you boys, my boys!' during the video.

Duncan also confirmed that the tour is set to commence in April 2024 in Liverpool, marking two decades since their formation in 2000, and the release of their iconic song "All Rise" in 2001.

While the Blue members, known for hits like 'Guilty,' have sold 15 million records worldwide, their recent history includes a reunion in 2022 for their sixth album, 'Heart and Soul,' followed by arena shows. Nevertheless, they have been in the headlines for reasons other than their music over the past year.

Lee Ryan, earlier this month, opened up about his diagnosis of autism and ADHD, sharing, 'I’ve struggled with various things since I was a child, but these things weren’t really known about back then or spoken about.' He highlighted the unique way his brain functions and the challenges that come with it, encouraging understanding and empathy for others experiencing similar situations.

He also touched upon his heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, expressing, 'This is going to sound a bit weird but I’ve always hated the wind, the way it feels on my skin when it hits you. I’m particularly sensitive to touch, so when someone does that and I’m in a stressful situation then I might react quickly.'

The singer wrapped up with a message of hope, emphasizing the importance of kindness in a chaotic world.

It's worth noting that Lee Ryan faced a physical assault in July when he was involved in an altercation with a male passenger during a flight. The rest of the band stood by him, defending him during the attack, which continued after the plane had landed. Lee suffered an injury to his leg when he was pushed down a flight of stairs. This incident unfolded because Lee had placed his feet on a seat, considered culturally insensitive, for which he later apologized.

Since his assault trial began, Lee Ryan has maintained a low profile and remains the only member of the group without a social media presence. Despite the challenges he's faced, his return to the stage with Blue is a testament to his resilience and the enduring bond of the group.