BLACKBURN band The Illicits are preparing for a TV first when they appear live on Sky’s Soccer AM on Saturday.

For they will be the first band to appear on the cult football and music show before ever having released a single.

The band - George Richards on vocals, guitarist Brad Hayes, Joe Mitchell on bass and drummer Matt Cottam - were recently signed to Creation23, the record label set up by Alan McGee, the legendary music figure who discovered Oasis.

On Saturday they will be interviewed by the show host John ‘Fenners’ Fenmore and play their debut single In What World live in the studio. The single, due to be released in May, was played on last week’s show and sparked massive reaction on social media.

“I’m pretty sure we’ve never done something like this before where we have a band in the studio that is just starting out,” said Fenners. “But these lads clearly have something.”

Fenners was sent a recording of The Illicits by the band’s manager Gary Aspden. Gary, also from Blackburn, became friendly with the presenter through his work with sports giant adidas designing retro clothing and footwear.

“Gary said he’d seen this band and asked me to have a listen,” said Fenners. “I was really impressed with what I heard - they are just that little bit different - and it was obvious that we should get them on the show.”

Formed in 2017, The Illicits will be supporting The Zutons on their UK tour over the next few weeks.

They recently played a homecoming gig at Electric Church in Blackburn which sold out and had scores of disappointed fans being turned away.

Now they have also announced their biggest headline show yet - at Clitheroe Grand on Friday, May 31 with tickets going on sale at 10am today.

“Once they have been on Soccer AM the tickets are likely to fly out,” said Gary, “so we’d urge anyone who wants to go along to get their tickets now.”

Details from www.gigsandtours.com