TEN years ago, this week following the success of Sir Elton John’s Darlington Arena concert, officials drew up a “hit list” of international stars they hoped to bring to the area.

More than 17,000 fans packed Darlington Arena to watch Sir Elton John's performance.

After the concert, Darlington Football Club chairman George Houghton said: "It was an incredible evening. Walking around the stadium before the concert was so exciting, there was such a buzz. Even the weather was kind to us, eventually."

Management at the club believed, the success of the show proved Darlington Football Cub's stadium could host some of the biggest names in the entertainment world.

A spokesman said: "We will be looking at some of the biggest names around. We've set the bar unbelievably high with Elton John and now we've got to top it."