James Arthur had the "proudest night of [his] life" as he headlined the Riverside Stadium in his homecoming gig on Saturday.

The Saltburn-born former X Factor winner played to his home crowd who gave him the welcome this local star deserved.

If Sam Fender's St James' Park sell-out gigs last year were a chance for Geordies to get patriotic, this was Teesside's chance to honour the man putting Saltburn on the map.

The Northern Echo:

Chants of "Tee, Tee, Teessiders" and "James Arthur, he's one of our own" rang out from the stands of the Riverside as Arthur, donning a white top with a Boro crest, took to the stage.

He had a tough act to follow after support from McFly, Lauran Hibberd, and local Indie Band Spilt Milk who won a competition to open the night. 

To huge cheers, James Arthur started the night with his latest hit 'Bigger Sweet Love'.

He planned to speak to the crowd after his first song but said he couldn't find the words to express what the night meant to him.

While Arthur may be naturally gifted with an incredible voice, he's less natural when it comes to commanding a stage, more comfortable with his guitar behind a mic stand, but that didn't stop the crowds of an about three-quarter full Riverside getting behind him.

The Northern Echo:

A mix of new songs and some of his biggest hits completed the setlist, with songs including 'Impossible', 'Rewrite the Stars' and a cover of Christina Perri's Impossible getting the crowd on their feet.

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The evening closed with a pitch-perfect rendition of 'Say you won't let go'. A stunning fireworks display took off over Middlesbrough as the night concluded.

A clearly emotional Arthur had completely his life-long dream. Playing at the very stadium he had a season ticket at as a child to a mega crowd of his own people.

This was a night James Arthur won't forget in a hurry.