IT was the smash hit 90s film that made superstars of Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner and went on to spawn an award-winning musical featuring one of the greatest songs of all time, I Will Always Love You.

The Bodyguard will hit all the high notes in 2015 as it opens its first ever UK tour in Southampton, direct from the West End, the Daily Echo can exclusively reveal.

The Mayflower will host 20 performances of the show as it launches in February.

The theatre’s chief executive Michael Ockwell told the Daily Echo: “I am thrilled that we are launching the tour of this spectacular production. Once again we are collaborating with producers to start a tour from Southampton so that our local community will be the first to see amazing shows.”

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard Frank Farmer is hired to protect singing superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love.

A romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, I’m Your Baby Tonight, Run to You, I Have Nothing and I Wanna Dance with Somebody.

A brand new set for The Bodyguard will be built on site and technical rehearsals will take place in Southampton ahead of the UK tour.

Tickets for the show, which runs from February 12 to 28 next year, go on sale to the public on Tuesday May 6.

Call 023 8071 1811 or visit mayflower.org.uk