IF ANYONE could vouch for music being a therapeutic, healing thing, it's singer Paul Young.

Bereaved in January 2018 when his wife Stacey died of brain cancer at just 52, the star admitted he threw himself into his work as a coping mechanism.

Speaking to the County Press in advance of an appearance with his band Los Pacaminos at Ventnor Winter Gardens on December 20, the star was candid in how big a part music plays in his life.

This year and last, he toured solo to commemorate 35 years of No Parlez, his triple-platinum 1983 album, and now he is touring with his TexMex band.

He also signed up at short notice to join Cher on the UK-leg of her recent tour, an experience he relished.

He said: "Next year I'm concentrating on finishing the new music I've been working on. My own solo stuff is 80 per cent done and the new Los Pacaminos album is 60 per cent done.

"It all coincided with Stacey being ill and I felt I had to go out and work, to keep us all going and also just keep myself going.

"I went out to work on some jobs I may not have wanted to, and things kept getting busier and busier.

"Music is a therapeutic thing. Everyone I know who's suffered a bereavement says they want to carry on with the music, as it is healing."

Paul remains in demand thanks to his stellar career from the early '80s, but he also loves the Mexicana style of music he plays with Los Pacaminos.

He has been with the band for more than 27 years and their style has developed over the years to encompass the very best in TexMex border music from The Texas Tornadoes and Ry Cooder to Los Lobos and even Roy Orbison.

The evening at Ventnor promises to be a Tequila-fuelled Christmas party night, as the setting becomes the perfect cantina for a great night’s rocking with the cactus sharp, Stetson-wearing, magnificent six.

Paul has played on the Isle of Wight before with Los Pacaminos. He said he likes the Island and knows it pretty well after spending holidays here with his children.

He has considered offers to play at festivals here before but none have worked out as yet.

The Ventnor show will be the last performance of Los Pacaminos this year, before they take a well-earned Christmas break.

Tickets are available from Ventnor Winter Gardens but don't delay — half have sold already.