It is back to the day job for Gavin Rossdale – and the frontman of rockers Bush couldn’t be happier.

The singer was on TV screens earlier this year as a judge on The Voice, but he won’t be returning to the show next year.

He insists he’s not disappointed by the decision, especially as his band have a new record and a world tour to focus on, including a date at the O2 ABC next Tuesday.

“It was a complete eye-opener for me to be on Saturday night TV and trying to get up to that speed and showmanship,” he says.

“I had the best time with Tom Jones, I love that guy and miss him. But I knew I was doing one season and the Voice often has people who are in it one year and then out. I didn’t leave on bad terms and not doing the Voice again means I can really promote this record and go on a world tour. We’ll be doing five and a half months, spread out, and that’s a lot of time.”

That new album is Black and White Rainbows, the group’s first release in three years. It comes after a turbulent time, that saw Gavin divorced from his wife of 13 years, Gwen Stefani.

Yet the record avoids being a break-up album, side-stepping his break-up with the No Doubt star and looking at the state of the world instead.

“I had to be careful with what songs I chose for the album,” he admits.

“I totally indulged it (his marriage break-up) creatively, so there were certain songs that were best left as emotional exercises rather than being shared with everyone. I try to be mindful of everything going on around me as opposed to just naval-gazing. I didn’t want to have something that was too much about my own personal journey.”

That journey will now bring him back to a Scottish stage for the first time in a few years. Bush have always been far bigger in America than in the UK, where their grungey rock was often slated by critics.

That’s left the singer stumped as to what fans will know.

“I’ll get the chance to see some family up there,” he says.

“I’ve not been to Europe in about four years so I’m not sure how it’ll go, but it’s been a miraculous journey of survival for the band, so we’re just going to go up there and play a good strong show. I’m confused as to what songs people know there, so I’ll just focus on singing in tune!”

One disappointment for Gavin, however, is that the UK tour means he’ll miss seeing his old Voice colleague Tom Jones, who’ll be in the USA when Bush are hitting the road. Meeting the Welsh legend was clearly the biggest highlight of the Voice for Gavin.

“He was such a gentleman and so insightful, and my favourite quality was his generosity,” says the singer.

“You could sit down and just have an audience with Tom Jones, because of who he is, but although you meet some people in music who take over conversations and become so self-reverential, Tom was never like that, despite his level. He was always intrigued with your life too.”

Gavin also doesn’t want to be way from his three sons for too long. When I phone him, he’s preparing for a visit by their guitar tutor, who Gavin himself is learning classical guitar from. Despite the youngsters interest In music though, he’s hoping they don’t follow his footsteps and make a career of it.

“I think the worst idea my boys could ever have would be to try and have a career in music,” he chuckles.

“But I think it’s really good to play an instrument and they all have good singing voices, so it’s great to hear them sing, and what music they like – even if it’s One Direction. It means something in music is speaking to them.”

Despite those views, he believes Bush will be going strong for some time yet.

“It feels like you have to kill us or we’ll just keep going,” he says.

“There’s been times where I’ve wondered, if it was worth the pressure of touring when married and then touring and being single was even worse.

“Maintaining a career as working musicians is a lot for anybody, but I still love it. I love to walk out on that stage, it’s liberating and I don’t know what else to do.”

Bush, O2 ABC, Tuesday, £27.50, 7pm

JONATHAN GEDDES