"You might know this song," smiled Tony Christie as his band launched into the opening chords of (Is This The Way To) Amarillo.

A gang of women at the front had been shrieking the "sha-la-las" of the chorus all night, but Tony kept us waiting until the end for the song that has made him cool again.

The Yorkshire singer was first crooning Amarillo 30 years ago and now, thanks largely to Peter Kay who nicked the song for Phoenix Nights, he's enjoying a renaissance. Amarillo is the Comic Relief single and Tony's greatest hits album is number three.

Last night's packed audience was a curious mixture of long-time fans and the younger crowd who have latched on to Christie's retro appeal.

He's just a slip of a man, looking like he weighs about seven stone, but he can't half belt out some big songs.

All the Christie classics were there: Las Vegas, I Did What I Did For Maria, Don't Go Down To Reno and, my favourite, Avenues and Alleyways.

Performing with a classy big band, he gave the slick, passionate performance of a top-class international star.

"Imagine you're in the Sands Hotel, Vegas," he said, launching into an impressive Rat Pack medley featuring a moving rendition of Mr Bo Jangles. And he treated us to some Lennon and McCartney, leading the audience in a rousing Hey Jude sing-along.

The show was opened by Leeds singer and former Bullette Carolynne Good who was last in Bradford appearing in the Alhambra panto. Reminiscent of Shania Twain, she has a lovely, earthy voice that suits rock, country and pop.

She wasn't to everyone's taste though: "Thank God for that," muttered the man next to me when she announced her final song. But then he didn't uncross his arms for Tony Christie either. I guess there's no pleasing some folk.