HE'S the action movie hero with a collection of Hollywood blockbusters under his belt.

Known for beating the bad guys, he is also renowned for his trademark ponytail - and famously breaking Sean Connery's arm while he taught him fight techniques on a movie set.

Now Steven Seagal has turned his attention to music and is heading for a sell-out double bill in Southampton as part of a global tour.

Musician A seventh degree black belt Aikido master, the 6ft 4in star is also an accomplished musician and songwriter.

He is about to embark on a worldwide tour that will see him and his band Thunderbox play two gigs at The Brook in Portswood.

Bosses say it's down to popular demand that they are now putting on a matinee show as well as a performance in the evening when the movie legend arrives in the city next February.

The Under Siege and Out For A Kill star is an ex-bodyguard who was once married to Kelly Le Brock - the Woman in Red star and mother of three of his six children.

The tour will begin in Canada when the band will play the Casino Rama in Ontario before moving through a total of 40 different cities.

Other dates in the UK include gigs in Glasgow and London.

The tour comes on the back of the release of the band's new album Mojo Priest, which honours the last of the Delta Blues legend and features a collection of soulful new and old tracks.

A spokesman for his company said: "If you think Steven is good at beating the bad guys on film, just wait until you hear him on guitar.

"Steven's accomplished musicianship sets him apart from his contemporaries in the acting business who have tried their hands at music."

Tickets, priced £25 for each of the shows on Saturday February 24, are available by calling The Brook on 023 8055 5366 or logging on to www.the-brook.com.