WEARING his electric blue 'Asda' jeans, Will Young arrived on stage at The Ipswich Regent to a ripple of applause and a bevvy of screams as a full house welcomed the star to the county.

WEARING his electric blue 'Asda' jeans, Will Young arrived on stage at The Ipswich Regent to a ripple of applause and a bevvy of screams as a full house welcomed the star to the county.

Will, who beat rival Gareth Gates to the post by winning Pop Idol in 2002, has come a long way, becoming one of the most popular and critically acclaimed male vocalists in the country.

On stage the star had a real presence and charisma, and bounded with energy as he rattled through a catalogue of hits that included new material from his latest album Let it Go, as well as old favourites such as Friday's Child and Leave Right Now.

Shaking his snake hips and flashing that beaming smile, suave Will had the audience in his grip, with some members even shouting out requests for the singer to take of his shirt - all of which, of course, he took in his stride with banter and quirky quips.

New material included in the show combined a mixture of funk and soul-vibed tunes and hauntingly beautiful melodies.

And he even threw in a ska-inspired track at the end for good measure.

All in all it was a mesmerising performance that charmed from beginning to end, and we all left with smiles on our faces.

CHARLOTTE SMITH-JARVIS