GILBERT O'Sullivan finally made his debut in New Brighton in a career spanning 50 years and welcomed old friends and many new ones to a sold out welcoming venue.

It is Just Gilbert stripped down on a smash-hit solo star trek.

Not quite alone again ... he was with master guitarist Bill Shanley - a mainstay of his regular musicians in a show that simply sparkled the moment he strolled on stage and opened with January Git - the first track from his first album in 1971 called Gilbert O'Sullivan Himself.

It was a joyous journey through the diverse, rich back-catalogue of one one of the world's most successful singer-songwriters.

It was an intimate showcase featuring lovely banter, anecdotes and tales of past tours Down Under and most recently the USA.

He played most of the tracks from the superlative last album called simply Gilbert O'Sullivan in 2018 right back to the very first song he ever wrote which had all his creative hallmarks - catchy melodies and intelligent, witty lyrics that strike a chord with each and everyone of us.

The wide-aged group audience were treated to crisp versions of We Will and Nothing Rhymed.

You could hear and savour every single word.

Hit followed hit and just when you had sang along to every hit another classic came flowing from those distinctive keyboards.

Gilbert's newer material certainly stands the test of time - notably on

I'll Never Love Again, At the End of the Day and The Same The Whole World Over.

He encored with two famous, rousing anthems Matrimony and Get Down.

Gilbert left the stage after a two-and-a-half-hour spell-binding performance.

He had thumbs aloft as he ran off stage with a smile wider than the Mersey.

Gilbert said he loves to leave audiences smiling.

Outside the theatre the man in the full moon smiled down, too - yes, it was that kind of magical evening.

Glorious Gilbert

Five Stars

www.gilbertosullivan.co.uk