The stands were packed to the rafters and fans gained their own vantage points in front of the stage to get close to their idol.

Meanwhile, people were standing shoulder to shoulder in a packed arena listening, tapping their feet, clapping their hands and singing along to some familiar tunes.

“Delila”, “Green Green Grass of Home”, “Kiss”, “Sexbomb”, “Mamma Told Me Not To Come”, “Help Yourself”, “It’s Not Unusual”, “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” ... they all got an airing and the audience in full swing from the man who still has the golden voice.

Sir Tom Jones strode on stage to a rapturous reception last night as thousands, stretching across all generations, welcomed him to Newmarket.

And he didn’t disappoint with his full range of hits and classic songs all so familiar and all so memorable.

Backed by a pulsating nine-piece band he showed that even in his advancing years he can continue to belt out the songs and entertain his adoring fans.

He instantly struck up a great rapport with the crowd, estimated to be over 20,000. and there was even a make shift washing line of knickers with three letters, TOM.

He was appearing at Newmarket for the third time in four years and it looks like he feels comfortable in the wonderful surroundings of the beautiful July course.

Sir Tom’s golden voice is still as strong as ever even though his tone and range has gone from a tenor to a baritone.

But at 74 years of age it’s still a rich sound and one that totally thrilled the thousands on race night.