THE Divine Comedy has announced an extensive European tour for Autumn 2006.

Neil Hannon will be joined on stage by a 7-piece band.

The eleven UK dates include a stop at Portsmouth's Pyramids Centre on Tuesday October 31.

When British pop singer songwriter Neil Hannon formed Divine Comedy he had visions of becoming a New Wave fusion of Scott Walker, Morrissey and Electric Light Orchestra.

During the early '90s, he built up a strong cult following with a pair of idiosyncratic, critically-acclaimed records before his third album, Casanova, became a mainstream success in the wake of Brit-pop's popularity.

The tour will feature songs from the current album Victory For The Comic Muse as well as many old favourites.

The Divine Comedy will also be appearing at V Festival on August 19-20.

Tickets are on sale now priced £17.50. Box Office 023 9282 4355