BANANARAMA may be performing in '80s show Here and Now Tour 2008 - but whatever you do, don't ask if they'll be wearing '80s gear on stage.

"Nooooooo! Hold it right there with that question," yells Sara Dallin.

"Why do people always ask if we're going to come dressed in '80s gear for shows?

"Of course we won't. We dressed like that at the time because it was the '80s. I don't know why the audience insist on dressing up either."

Luckily, the band haven't turned their backs on all things '80s and will be performing some of their biggest hits of that decade, including Cruel Summer, Venus, Love in the First Degree and I Heard a Rumour on tour.

They will be joined by the cream of '80s artists in the line-up, including Rick Astley, ABC, Paul Young, Curiosity Killed the Cat, Johnny Hates Jazz and Cutting Crew.

Sara says she can't wait.

"We've been doing gigs and club dates all over the world over the last couple of years, but when we were asked to do the Here and Now show last summer we though 'Why not?' "We thought it'd be a great way of doing an arena tour with a live band. We've wanted to tour with a live band for a while but it's very expensive, and performing in an arena is a great experience."

Sara says she's also looking forward to meeting up with old friends.

"A lot of the other artists on the tour are people we'd cross paths with.

"Our main friends in the '80s were The Cure, Duran Duran and Culture Club, though.

"We've met up with the other acts already and we seem to all have the same sense of humour, so it should be really good fun."

Bananarama, formed in 1982 by teenagers Sara and Keren Woodward, are one of the most successful girl bands of all time.

In 1987 they entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful girl band in the world (with the most Top 40 hits) and still hold the title to this day, with 30 Top 40 hits, 11 albums and more than 40million records sold. Having taken the title from the Supremes, they decided to pay tribute to them by recording Nathan Jones.

But such success came at a price - and what Sara is most looking forward to about this tour is the low stress factor.

"This time round there's no pressure," she said.

"It's an '80s show so it'll be quite easy for us. It's going to be one big party atmosphere and I can't wait."

  • See Bananarama in the Here and Now Tour calling at Manchester Arena on Tuesday, May 13. For tickets call 0844 8478000.