ALTHOUGH still on the right side of 30, I felt old among the audience at the Metro Radio Arena.

The venue was packed with rows of girls whose average age was about 14, hyperventilating at the thought of seeing their idol in the flesh.

They had to wait awhile - Mr Timberlake didn't make his entrance until around 9.15pm, over an hour after the concert started. In the meantime, we were entertained by a Metro Radio DJ, who warmed us up with the latest chart hits and teased us that Justin was watching us, just having a shower etc. It wasn't my cup of tea, but the girls seemed to lap it up.

When Justin finally did appear, after an ill-conceived break in which all the lights came on, the excitement reached fever pitch. There was no disputing his talent as he belted out smash hits like Dance With Me and Cry Me a River, exuding cool charisma as he interacted with his dancers. The fact that he could match them step for step in complicated routines made him eminently watchable. Notwithstanding his 'trouser snake' tag, he even showed us that he was a nice, well brought-up boy by thanking us for a successful 2003 and for our hospitality. Aside from a bit of padding to make up for his lack of hits (after all, he hasn't been on the scene that long), this was a thoroughly enjoyable show, which really had the audience "Lovin' It".

* Also tonight. Box office 0870 707 800

Published: 23/01/2004