The George Michael circus rolled into town last night as the artist prepared to perform before a sell-out crowd at Carrow Road. Work to set up the stadium for the former-Wham! star's 25Live tour began six days ago with the main stage and pitch-covering being put in place.

The George Michael circus rolled into town last night as the artist prepared to perform before a sell-out crowd at Carrow Road.

Work to set up the stadium for the former-Wham! star's 25Live tour began six days ago with the main stage and pitch-covering being put in place.

But the bulk of the work took place over night as 20 trucks transported equipment ranging from video screens to the singer's wardrobe from Wembley where he opened the UK-leg of his tour on Saturday.

There had been fears the Norwich performance may never take place after he faced jail after pleading guilty to driving while unfit. However, he was given a two-year driving ban and 100 hours community service last week.

Since then tickets for the set out gig have become hot property, changing hands for more than £100 each on internet auction site Ebay.

Promoter Ben Webster said: “Converting a stadium to a concert venue is a major operation and the preparations have been underway for several days.

“But a lot of the work could not be started until the Wembley performance was over. The bulk of the equipment was delivered at 2pm and we do not expect to work right through the night and not finish until about 6am.

“This tour has been going on for more than a month now having started in Europe so, although it remains a major undertaking, it is a well-oiled machine and it should all go smoothly.

“Of course if you went into the stadium now it would look like pandemonium. But there is method to the madness.”

The tour, which also takes in Glasgow, Birmingham, Dublin and Earl's Court, celebrates the singer's 25 years in the music industry which has seen record sales of more than £80m worldwide including six US number one singles and 11 British number one singles.

Special guest on the tour is Sophie Ellis Bextor who will be performing songs from her latest album Trip the Light Fantastic as well as hits from her back catalogue including Take Me Home, Murder on the Dancefloor and Groovejet (If This Ain't Love).