HAMPSHIRE’S globe-trotting superstar James Blunt was back on the South coast for the final date of The After Love Tour.

Coming three years after the epic Moon Landing tour – during which time he married, became a father and co-wrote The After Love album - this was an eagerly awaited date for local fans.

And he told the Bournemouth crowd: “It’s such a pleasure to back here, almost a local boy as my home is Andover even though the press say it’s Ibiza!"

Full or energy and fun, dressed in skinny jeans and t-shirt, he was in good voice, kicking off with the upbeat Heart to Heart and delivering a mix of happy and, in his own words, “miserable” songs to delight all.

His ability to tap into these extremes of emotion can be quite a roller coaster ride, with bitter-sweet songs like Carry You Home and Goodbye My Lover really wrenching at the heart-strings, whilst the cheery ukulele-led Postcard, Stay the Night and High were totally uplifting.

There were so many outstanding songs from his five albums with other highlights being the anthem-like Bonfire Heart, 1973, and of course, his 2005 breakthrough hit You’re Beautiful.

Despite the input of various music talents on the new album, not every song off it was a winner. His collaboration with Ed Sheeran on Make Me better, a personal song about his marriage, went down well as did the rousing dance track ‘OK’. Sadly, his song ‘Time of Our Lives’ just felt too cheesy.

But he was engaging and entertaining throughout and, as ever, always ready to poke fun at himself: “Since Adele has quit music I am all you’ve got!” he quipped, whilst also joking about his size telling us he poses in front of his bedroom mirror with his ukulele to make himself feel bigger. There was even topical banter about Brexit and Trump.