The Specials return 

The ska legends play at the BBC for the first time in 25 years and drop Glasto hint

08 April 2009 - The Specials made their live return at the BBC last night (April 7) with an appearance on Later...With Jools Holland.The legendary ska band minus Jerry Dammers, bizarrely returned to the scene of their split after a Top Of The Pops appearance at the Television Centre over 25 years ago.

"The last time we were in this building, we did 'Ghost Town' so it's a strange feeling, it's like going back in time." said founding member Lynval Golding ."I keep thinking, 'Did it really happen? Has 20 something years really gone by? We all need reading glasses now." 

The line-up of Terry Hall, Golding, Neville Staple, Roddy Byers, Horace Panter and John Bradbury are set to embark on their 30th anniversary reunion tour later this month.

They made a surprise guest appearance at Bestival last September. Hall and Golding also joined Lily Allen onstage at Glastonbury in 2007."I keep thinking, 'Did it really happen? Has 20 something years really gone by? We all need reading glasses now."  Lynval Golding

Golding hinted that the reformed Coventry collective may make an appearance at this year's Glastonbury Festival."There is a possibility of us doing it," he said. "Look out for that one."

The Specials kick off their reunion tour on 22 April in Newcastle before they wrap up with a special homecoming show in Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on 15 May.

Despite their time away Golding said he's amazed at how many of their tracks are still relevant today.

He added: "'Too Much Too Young' is about how the number of kids having kids keeps going up and 'Concrete Jungle' is about knife violence. It feels like nothing has changed."