Will Young

Blickling Hall

> Blickling Hall

It was a setting befitting an Idol.

And within the majestic confines of the stately Blickling Hall, Will Young proved himself every inch up to the role.

The 2002 Pop Idol winner was a daring choice for the prestigious concerts at the flagship National Trust estate.

Although he sold close to two million albums last year, the openly-gay singer's short career and television roots made him somewhat of a gamble for the 9000-capacity event.

But while the concert last night was not quite as full as Meat Loaf or Status Quo, the middle-aged mums who made up the majority of the audience took to Young with barely-concealed delight.

And the singer did not disappoint.

Coming on at 9pm to a crowd forced to endure the ramblings of folk songstress Maria Carlyle, Young really needed to lift the mood.

And that he did with panache.

As the sun went in, the picnics were polished off and the jumpers went on, Young bounded on stage with a hearty rendition of Your Game.

As an illustration of how much Will is admired by a certain type of young man, Will recounted how he had been mobbed on stage by a group of fans who had broken through security the night before in Shrewsbury.

“At first I thought they were dancers until I saw them dance,” he said. “I had to hide behind the guitarist.”

He then launched into a stunning rendition of Get Me Out of Your Mind and Very Kind before the first new song of the night, Bye Bye Baby as the crowds went wild.

There was hardly a dud moment all set, with highlights being showstopper Leave Right Now and a singalong Light My Fire.

It was an awesome display of talent last night from Will Young.

He may have had his knockers in the past (no doubt all bitter Gareth Gates fans) - but if this performance was anything to go by, this young man will be around for a very long time to come.