2010 will mark the end of an era for Mick Hucknall as he disbands the phenomenally successful Simply Red.

The group is currently in the middle of a mammoth greatest hits tour which stops off at Sandown Park on Wednesday, with the venue long sold out as fans clamour to hear their favourite tunes, perhaps for the last time.

Hucknall says that although the end is near for Simply Red, he is still enjoying singing the hits, including Stars, Money’s Too Tight (To Mention) and Fairground, for his loyal fans.

He says: “It amazes me how artists don’t get sick of singing their songs but I have discovered the reason is you can stay inspired by the crowds. I love having them participating and singing along.”

Does the fact that the end for the band is near bring a different energy to the current shows?

“It is the beginning of the end and it does make people assess it in a different way, but I just enjoy what I do and hope it is infectious,” he says.

“If I was standing on stage with no one in the crowd I would get bored out of my brains but the audience creates the invigoration.”

It is a wish to move away from the soul influence that characterises Simply Red’s sound that has driven Hucknall to announce the end of the band and he is now looking forward to creating a new body of work.

“I won’t be singing these songs after 2010 because I don’t want to be a bored 60-year-old singing songs I wrote in my 20s,” he explains.

“I want to take on the challenge of building another musical catalogue with songs that represent more about who I really am.

“I am from Irish and Basque stock and was born in Britain and want to focus on that and express it a little bit more.”

Hucknall is hopeful that his fans, who have ensured every one of his albums has reached the British top five, will follow him as he leaves Simply Red behind – but before that he is concentrating on giving the group a decent send-off, with the Sandown Park show next on the list.

However, if you are looking for a win in one of the races that precedes the gig to get you in the mood for the main event then I am afraid Hucknall is the not the man to ask for a tip.

“My dad is the gambler of the family, so I doubt I will be having a flutter,” he says.

“If the Great British weather holds up, it will really make the night. Ideally, you want a bit of cloud to keep things cool but, please, no rain!”

Simply Red, Sandown Park, July 22, 6pm (first race), sold out, for more information visit sandownpark.co.uk