He also generates pretty strong views on either side of the musical equation; people either love him or loathe him. Maybe it's the voice, or maybe it's just that we don't like posh pop stars.

Anyway, I like him. There, we've got it out into the open, so let's move on.

The Arena is not quite sold out but it's still a world away from the last time I saw him in Sheffield, at the Octagon. The show's pretty different, too, with plasma screens, a second mini stage towards the back and, incredibly, the man himself in a suit and tie.

Granted, the suit jacket doesn't last long and the tie looks as though it's been put on by a fussy aunt just before he goes out to meet his public, but this is a new stage in Blunt's career and he pulls it off with some style.

Any worries about the state of his voice (he had been suffering from a heavy cold earlier in the week) and his ability to hold an Arena-sized crowd are soon forgotten.

After starting with a new number in Breathe, he rattles through a mixture of tracks from Back to Bedlam and All The Lost Souls and the fans are singing along almost from the outset.

It all adds to the feelgood atmosphere and the only time the audience remains silent is through the harrowing No Bravery.

Blunt delivers every song as if it might be his last and the crowd are back in full voice. This is okay for the most part but the chorus of Same Mistake does bring to mind a pack of howling wolves. It also probably explains why High is missing from the playlist. The thought of this lot providing the backing hardly bears thinking about!

He doesn't go in for much chat but when a deep male voice calls out You're Beautiful, Blunt smiles and says: "Thanks Dad.''

Midway through the set, Blunt changes pace with Slade's Coz I Luv You. Just a few bars in he leaps down from the stage, runs through the adoring throng and climbs onto the mini-stage, complete with piano, near the rear of the hall. He finishes that number with some gusto and gives the people at the back Goodbye My Lover for good measure.

Another new track in Love, Love Love and it's nearly time for the three-song encore, One of the Brightest Stars, So Long Jimmy and 1973.

The fans lapped it up, as did the impressive support Teddy Thompson. He warmed up the crowd with tracks from his album A Piece of what You Need and then came out front and danced along with the rest of us.
Great songs, great show, great night.

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