Musician Jools Holland has signed a five-year deal with Folkestone-based Saga to perform and endorse a restaurant on one of its cruise ships.

The former member of Squeeze and presenter of BBC show Later..., filmed at the Maidstone Studios, will also perform a string of shows on-board for passengers next summer.

Mr Holland, who lives on Hoo, near Rochester, will perform on Saga's new Spirit of Discovery and become the face of its new restaurant and bar venue.

The Club by Jools is inspired by 1950s cabaret lounges.

The first of his confirmed appearances will be a Channel Island Hop cruise on July 23, 2019, a Gourmet Spain sailing on August 3 and a Natural Scandinavia cruise on August 17.

The Club by Jools venue will offer food as well as live music and cocktails with resident and guest musicians.

Nigel Blanks, Saga Cruises’ chief operating officer, said: “Our decision to bring two new boutique cruise ships to the market by 2020 will be truly transformational for us as a business.

“We want the onboard entertainment to reflect this and we are delighted to be able to announce Jools Holland as our first ever endorsed on-board venue, The Club by Jools.

“I have grown up watching Later… and many of our customers have, too. His love of eclectic music really does transcend the generations and we will use this inspiration to bring something genuinely new and different to our steakhouse and late night bar on the ship.”

The musician added: “There is nothing better than listening to live music in a small, intimate setting where you can really connect with the artists and their music. Food and music are two of my greatest passions and it’s great that Saga is combining the two.”