Drake announces UK tour dates for 2012

Drake has announced that he will tour the UK next year.

The rapper, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, will play eight dates around the country, making it his biggest UK tour yet.

The 25-year-old played a series of smaller gigs last January, but the new dates will all be full arena shows in bigger venues.

Drake recently scored his first top 10 hit with Take Care, a collaboration with Rihanna.

His current album, also entitled Take Care, entered the UK album chart at number five last month.

He has recently duetted with Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Mary J. Blige and Jamie Foxx.

Last summer, Drake was forced to pull a series of live appearances after his mother was taken ill.

The tour will kick off with a date at the 02 Arena in London on 26 March and wrap up with a date in Nottingham.

The full tour dates are:

02 Arena, London - 26 March

Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield - 29

Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff - 30

MEN Arena, Manchester - 1 April

LG Arena, Birmingham - 19

Echo Arena, Liverpool - 22

Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle - 23

Nottingham Arena - 25

Tickets go on sale Friday 16 December.