Tens of thousands of adoring fans bouncing as the notes of Let Me Entertain You filled St Mary's Stadium, Robbie Williams proved himself a spectacular showman as he took to the stage in Southampton last night.

Hovering over the audience on a giant boxing glove as he sang I Love My Life, the Heavy Entertainment Show saw South Coast fans enjoy a great mix of new tracks and hits from the Robbie back catalogue.

The most rapturous reception was reserved for the finale version of Angels, which saw thousands of phone 'lighters' fill the night sky, with the less popular Rudebox the cue for a mass exodus to the bar.

"We are Great Britain and we're not scared," the leather kilt-clad Brit Award winner announced as he paid an emotional tribute to the victims of the regent Manchester and London terror attacks with a reworked version of Strong.

Gig-goers and staff were in great spirits amid increased security with Robbie fans posing for pictures with armed police and beer sellers dancing in the rain ahead of his appearance.

Synth supremos Erasure warmed up the appreciative audience with 80s classics like Love To Hate You, Sometimes and Stop!

Clad from head to toe in shiny silver, Andy Bell also belted out catchy Love You To The Sky from the duo's new album World Be Gone before a mass singalong to crowd pleaser Give A Little Respect.

Under grey skies, Robbie took to the stage for the main event, explaining he was struggling with a bad back. The occasional Take That number slipped into a just under two hour set from the former boyband member, as well as Freedom 90 for George Michael and a duet with his Dad to Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline.

As the sun set on St Mary's, Robbie performed Rock DJ to the backdrop of a sensational light show.

There was no-one there to capture the moment though as media photographers were asked to stay away with only pre-approved images to be published.

There were Southampton cheers, Pompey boos, jokes, snowstorms, fireworks and Frank Sinatra singalongs.

The last time I heard My Way at the home of the Saints was during Matt Le Tissier's testimonial. Robbie's appearance was certainly a lot more entertaining than my last few visits to St Mary's at the end of last season.