LONDON'S first lady of soul is set to grace a Carlisle stage next month. 

P.P. Arnold, who has worked with everyone from Mick Jagger to Paul Weller, will be returning to the Old Fire Station on July 1 for an evening of soul-stirring music and extraordinary tales. 

In an interview with the News & Star, P.P. said: "It's exciting times, I'm looking forward to coming back to Carlisle, making a first since back in 2017. 

"I never get the chance to do everything I want to do. But if I didn't do First Cut is the Deepest and If You Think You're Groovy - I'd end up with tin cans thrown at me on stage," she said. 

With stories such as joining forces with the Small Faces as well as Eric Clapton, P.P. said it's tough to find a balance at gigs between telling tales and singing a catalogue that spans over five decades. 

"This is the problem, everybody loves my stories but stories take time.

"So I've tried to find a way to sing as much as I can while telling my story. That's the best to do it, I've got my book on sale if they want more stories," she laughed.

"Oh and of course, there will be a tribute to Tina as well." 

P.P's life took a remarkable turn when she encountered the late Tina Turner, who became 'an answer to a prayer'. 

"Tina came to my rescue, I never even dreamed of being a singer.

"I asked God to find a way for me out of an abusive teen marriage at 17 with two kids, and Tina was that answer. 

"I lied to my husband and said I was going shopping when I went to help my friends who were going for an audition when one of the group was a no-show. 

"Two hours later I was in Tina's living room singing Dancing in the Street, and we got the gig.

"Tina's words were 'if you're going to get you a** beat for nothing anyway, you may as well ride with us and see the show' - it was a psychedelic experience for me seeing her on stage, you have to realise her spirit is still very much alive," she said. 

This sparked an illustrious career for P.P. who at that point became an Ikette with Ike and Tina Turner, leading to her musical path that has spanned over 50 years.  

"I'm working on a new album with some really great duets at the moment, I'm really excited about that, including lots of unreleased recordings from my younger days to come, with productions by Mick Jagger," she said. 

Tickets are selling fast for the Carlisle gig, however there are a few remaining via Skiddle. 

You can also purchase P.P's book Soul Survivor on hardback online, with paperback coming out later this year.