BASKING in the sunshine, some 3,000 people poured into Ipswich’s Christchurch Park as hit TV shows Britain’s Got Talent and the X Factor came together for a spectacular evening of music and dance.

Jamie Archer was first on the Big Friday bill, belting out tunes from Madonna, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon and the Killers among others.

He was the victim of a will it or won’t it play backing track but saved the day by leading the crowd in a chorus of Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer until it made up its mind.

Stacey Solomon was next; grinning from ear to ear and waving to the crowd as she sang. She was clearly having fun performing classics from artists including Dusty Springfield and Keane.

Seeming surprised so many people had turned out to see her she told the appreciative audience they were wicked before skipping off - probably in search of one of the Big Friday foam fingers a lot of people were wearing that took her fancy earlier in her set.

There were screams from the women in the crowd when an energetic Danyl Johnson bounced on stage, kicking things up a notch with tracks from Lenny Kravitz, Michael Jackson, Prince, One Republic and Joe Cocker.

He had the audience eating out of his palm, mingling with those who’d got down to the front of the stage and opening the door for Jedward.

Whether they or Diversity got the biggest cheer of the night is up for debate, but they were the real stars of the show - boasting the highest hair-do’s I’ve seen them sport yet.

The injured Edward - who tore his knee ligaments during a fall at T4 On the Beach - abandoned his pimped out golden crutches and hopped around on one leg or got piggybacks from brother John during their entire set.

Clearly in pain at time, with the odd ‘ow’ and ‘ouch’ every now and again, it didn’t stop him performing classic routines such as Under Pressure, Ghostbusters, Rock DJ and a shockingly good version of Blink 182’s All the Small Things.

With John flipping and spinning over the stage like he was auditioning for Diversity and jumping in among the crowd, the duo didn’t want to leave and the cheering crowd didn’t want them to either.

Headliners Diversity got everybody on their feet, teaching people a dance and then taping it for their Facebook page before launching into part of their sell-out UK tour act - Diversitoys.

It was full of their usual flair and thrills. While their time on stage was amazing, it was sadly too brief with fireworks soon signalling the end of the evening.