The ever-controversial Steven Patrick Morrissey has caused a stir by announcing his first UK tour in three years – but opting to leave out his home city of Manchester.

The former Smiths frontman revealed details of a tour of the UK and Ireland in February and March 2018, via a video on his recently created Twitter page on Friday (October 27th). The jaunt around the British isles will take in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Brighton and London's Royal Albert Hall and Alexandra Palace, with a date at Dublin’s 3Arena.

The tour is in support of his eleventh solo album Low In High School, which is due to be released on November 17th, and the tour will be his first in three years following the efforts in support of 2014’s World Peace is None of Your Business.

MorrisseyMorrissey is touring the UK in February and March 2018 - but avoiding Manchester!

Tickets go on sale on November 3rd, with those pre-ordering Low In High School gaining prior access to tickets before they go on general sale.

However, one city was immediately noticeable by its absence, with Morrissey’s home city of Manchester not included on the schedule.

More: Morrissey ponders the “directionless” youth in new album ‘Low In High School’

“Come on Stephen, where's the Manchester date?” one of his fans asked on Twitter, with many other followers asking the same question as to why he was snubbing them in the North-West.

However, Morrissey also confirmed on Friday that he will open two previously announced pop-up shops to celebrate the album's release, in a trick similar to that done by Frank Ocean and Kanye West. One will be in London’s Camden area, and the other in West Hollywood, Los Angeles.

February 16th - Aberdeen, BHGE Arena; 17th - Glasgow, The SSE Hydro; 20th – Dublin, 3Arena; 23rd – Newcastle, Metro Arena; 24th – Leeds, First Direct Arena; 27th - Birmingham, Genting Arena

March 3rd - Brighton Centre; 7th – London, Royal Albert Hall; 9th – London, Alexandra Palace

More: Look out – Morrissey has joined Twitter!