TWO seventies and eighties superstars have announced arena shows in Greenwich.

Guitar hero and Dire Straits legend Mark Knopfler will play the O2 on May 22 next year, while soul smoothie Lionel Richie will play the venue on March 1.

It will be the first time that Grammy award winner Knopfler has played the O2 and will be the first opportunity for fans to hear live tracks from his upcoming album Tracker, which is due out in January.

He said: “Amid the new material, when the audiences call for the songs that became part of all our lives, he will relish it.

“The thing about the old Straits songs is that these things are signposts for people’s lives. Obviously I’ll play things differently here and there to keep it alive and meaningful to me, and away from a cabaret thing.

“But there are things, like the twiddly bits at the end of ‘Sultans,’ if you don’t do your twiddly bits, the world’s not right for people. I like playing the old songs, I wrote them and people like to hear them, it’s as simple as that.”

Lionel Richie began his tour last September and has so far played more than 70 stadiums, arenas and festivals all over the world.

He said: “I can’t wait to get back to the UK.

“The audiences are always so great and I always have an incredible time when I’m in the United Kingdom. The show feels like a great big sing-along most nights so I’m looking forward to singing along with the people of the UK again.”

Tickets to both shows go on sale at 9am on Friday (September 26) at axs.com or on 08448 244824.