Girls Aloud

RICHARD PARR

Holkham Hall

They're sassy, sexy and thousands of fans delighted in their sensational performance last night amid the splendour of Holkham Hall grounds, near Wells.

An estimated 7,000 people, including many children, had settled down with their picnics, a stone's throw from the 18th-century hall. The excitement grew until, after the interval, the feisty five burst on to the stage to thunderous applause.

Their set included Wake Me Up, Walk This Way and the newly released 16th single Sexy! No No No.

Girls Aloud's powerful and pacy performance gave the audience a new lease of life and got them on to their dancing feet.

Their debut single, Sound of the Underground, made them a household name and their ability to offer something slightly different silenced the critics who predicted they would be a one-hit wonder.

They produced a succession of hits - including No Good Advice, Something Kinda Oooh and Biology.

The concert had opened with R'n'B singer Jamelia, a mother of two, who has returned to the UK music scene with a collection of her greatest hit singles.

The self-confessed “warm up” act, dressed in pink, got the crowd on their feet with her smash hit Superstar. She then followed this with Something About You, Stop, Thank You, Crazy and Beware of the Dog.

Next on stage was popular TV X-Factor winner Shayne Ward who was clearly a big attraction for the ladies.

He got his appreciative audience, rocking and singing along to Touching Me.

He told the crowd he thought Holkham was an amazing place and said: “Thank you so much everyone for sticking by me since winning the X-Factor.”

Other songs followed including No U Hang Up - which is his new single due for release on September 24 - No Promises, West Life's That's My Goal and, as an encore, he gave the crowd his new B-side single If That's OK With You.

The evening ended with a spectacular fireworks display and the excitement starts all over again tonight as Status Quo play Holkham.