Drake announces 2012 UK arena tour

Drake has announced plans to embark on a headline arena tour of the UK in 2012.

The rapper will play nine dates across the country in support of his second studio album Take Care, which reached number five on the UK chart last month.

The star will begin at London's O2 arena on March 26 and conclude the string of gigs at Nottingham's Capital FM arena on April 25.

The 'Make Me Proud' performer recently admitted that he was worried about the fan and critical reaction to his latest collection as he feels a constant pressure to better his previous hits.

Drake's Take Care sold over 630,000 copies during its first week in the US, while the album's title track became the hip-hop star's first UK top ten single in November.

Tickets for Drake's UK headline arena tour will go on sale from 9am on December 16.

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Drake's 2012 UK tour dates are as follows:

• March 26 - London, O2 Arena


• March 29 - Sheffield, Motorpoint Arena


• March 30 - Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena


• April 1 - Manchester, MEN Arena


• April 2 - Glasgow, SECC Hall 4


• April 19 - Birmingham, LG Arena


• April 22 - Liverpool, Echo Arena


• April 23 - Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena


• April 25 - Nottingham, Capital FM Arena

Watch the music video for Drake's 'Headlines' below: