What followed then can best be diagnosed as fashion frenzy ? camera phones went snapping and some members of the audience reportedly did the tres uncool act of, oh dear, standing up.

The lucky crowd then got a second injection of Prince at the show?s close, when he sung his signature ?Kiss".

This certainly ranks as one of the most interesting forms of warm-ups (yes, still a few more shows to go for our singer) and Williamson ? the man who can do no wrong ? should give himself a big pat on his smug back.

By Jemimah Steinfeld

Image from mprigg?s Flickrstream.