SINGER Roki Josphats has suffered a setback ahead of his maiden UK tour after several members of his band were denied visas over fears they would abscond.

Roki, one of the stars of the 2012 Big Brother Africa TV show, flies out to the UK this week with fellow urban music star ExQ for gigs in Leicester, Manchester and London.

But Roki, who has been trying to make a transition from backtracks to live band, says his excitement has been tinctured by the visa denials.

“I just introduced a live band a few months ago and this means that I have got a lot of members who play different instruments,” Roki told the Bulawayo Chronicle.

“The decision to refuse my band members visas is going to affect us big time as every band member has an important role to play.

“This means that only four guys are going on this tour and already we are forced to use backtracks, a concept that I had stopped.”

The ‘Chidzoka’ star, whose career was given a new lease of life by his Big Brother appearance, says his first UK tour is “a dream come true”.

The tour kicks off at the Starlite in Leicester on Friday night, moves on to SOL House in Manchester on Saturday and concludes at the Rollers Club [Chingford Rugby Club] in London on Sunday.

Friday 14th Sept 2012 - DOOR OPEN 10-5AM
Starlite De Venue
80 Wharf St, Leicester, LE1 2AA
ADMISSION: ADV £15 & DOOR £20

Saturday 15th Sept 2012 - DOOR OPEN 10-5AM
SOL House
117 Fairfield Street, Manchester, M1 2WG
ADMISSION: ADV £15 & DOOR £20

Sunday 16th September 2012 - 2PM-12AM
Rollers Club
Chingford Rugby Club, Waltham Way, E4 8AQ
ADMISSION: EARLY BIRD TKTS B4 5PM £5 & £10 AFTER