Verdict: Five stars.

SINGER James Blunt admitted he was excited to be back in the city as he wowed thousands of fans by putting on an incredible show at the Hydro on Friday night.

Opening up his set with the upbeat Beside You which samples the Ennio Morricone track Alla Luce Del Giorno, the star armed with his guitar then launched into Saving A Life and the catchy Wiseman.

The 50-year-old announced: “Well hello Glasgow!

“We are so excited to be back in Glasgow. It’s been too long.”

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Glasgow Times:

And his fans were equally as excited to see him despite the passage of time because he more than made up for it with a storming set that lasted one and a half hours.

Commanding the audience from the get go with his natural humour, Blunt had his fans switching easily between singing along to some of his biggest hits to laughing at his hilarious jokes.

Goodbye My Lover and High, taken from his unforgettable 2004 debut album Back to Bedlam, proved to be popular and gave Blunt an opportunity to flex his skills as a musician as he took to the piano.

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

Oozing with charisma, Blunt was on top form throughout his set performing his back catalogue alongside tracks from his seventh studio album Who We Used To Be, including I Won’t Die With You.

You’re Beautiful was a highlight showcasing Blunt’s unique voice beautifully and his prowess as a songwriter.

It’s a track which has stood the test of time and it thrives when performed in a live setting.

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Glasgow Times:

He then amped up the atmosphere with a performance of his collaboration with German DJ Robin Schulz, OK.

Grinning from ear to ear, he beamed: “I have been lucky enough to be in the business 20 years now, you are the people who keep that dream alive.”

He then finished off his set in spectacular style with Bonfire Heart and 1973, and a promise he will be back next year.