WHEN ABC cast David Cassidy in 70s teen series, The Partridge Family, it launched one of the most spectacular careers in the entertainment industry.

The baby-faced actor soon proved he could also sing and play guitar and was quickly catapulted to the heady heights of teen worship.

His one-man shows were complete sell-outs and also complete madness and teenage girls the world over flocked to see him perform.

Now he is back. After 15 years he is returning to the UK for a string of concerts and plays Manchester Apollo on Friday, November 9.

Is he looking forward to it? "You bet I am," says David who is in this country to promote his latest CD, "Then and Now".

"British audiences hold a very special place in my memory," he says, "The concerts I did over here in the early 1970s were incredible. I especially remember one I did at Belle Vue, Manchester in about 1971 and part of the roof caved in -- it was incredible. Luckily nobody was hurt."

David says he cannot wait to meet his fans again in Manchester.

"I've been touring in America during the past few months and all my fans have been coming to the shows. Sure, they're all a little older but they're still as enthusiastic. They have children of their own now and some even bring their kids along."

Although he has not toured for years, David has been incredibly busy. He earned an Emmy nomination, went to Broadway where he starred in the original production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat -- ironically taken over at a later date by '70s rival, Donny Osmond -- before going to London to appear in Time with the late Sir Laurence Olivier.

In 1994 he again broke box office records in Blood Brothers which ran in the US, Canada and a six-week critically acclaimed stint in the West End.

Stage performances aside, has he ever been tempted to return to the TV screen?

"Not really," he says, "I find stage work much more rewarding because I enjoy the audience being right there in front of you. That's why I wanted to return to touring."

For the past few years he has written, produced and starred in some hugely popular productions in Las Vegas, where he now lives with his wife, Sue and their 10-year-old son, Beau.

"But I really wanted to tour again so, earlier this year, I closed the Las Vegas shows and embarked on a massive tour of America. And I have to say I was met with the most fantastic response -- they shows were amazing and the audience were as enthusiastic as they were back in the '70s."

He also returned to the same recording studio in Los Angeles where he recorded all his original Partridge Family and solo hits.

"I wanted to record "Then and Now" in the same studio with the same musicians I worked with 30 years ago.

"Let me tell you, the experience was certainly an emotional one for me. To walk into that same recording studio brought back some pretty amazing memories.

"And, of course, the musicians were some of the best in the business."

So, does he think his forthcoming British tour will mirror those of the teeny-bopper filled 1970s?

"I don't know," he admits, "but I can't wait to find out. I mean, it's not a greatest hits tour because I'll be doing lots of new stuff, but of course I'll be including old ones like Could It Be Forever and I Think I Love You.

"And just because the girls are now women and mothers I don't think they'll be averse to standing on their seats and letting out the odd scream now and again.

"I sincerely hope not anyway."

"Then and Now" is in the shops and David Cassidy appears at Manchester Apollo on Friday, November 9. Box office 0161-242-2560.