SOME fans of the 65-year-old star still seem disenchanted that he's not stuck in the 60s endlessly churning out Summer Holiday, Move It and Congratulations etc.

It's a surprising attitude given that some of the great knight's best work has come in the past two years with a string of Nashville-created songs which deserved far more radio play than they got. Spine-chilling numbers like Faithful One, Simplicity and On The Field Of Love certainly impressed the two-thirds-full venue but had to be supported by Twelfth Of Never, Devil Woman and The Young Ones to keep everyone happy.

Backed by an impressive band of musicians and eight clean-cut dancers, every shimmy from the UK's best-known Bachelor Boy earned a cheer. He reminded his audience that Newcastle was included in his first-ever tour and told us: "I don't know how to behave... if you feel 18 be 18." Then he joked to some of the older boppers: "Please, sit down before someone falls over".

Cliff's latest album, Two's Company: The Duets, features the likes of Elton John, Dionne Warwick, Barry Gibb and the voice of the late Matt Munro. So songs here had to rely on backing singers such as Dawn Joseph and Peter Howarth.

One Cliff tradition never changes, in the last 25 minutes a steady stream of female fans always crowds towards the stage. It's an impressive sight and, as he responds: "If you keep showing up then so will I."