HE IS hailed as an 80’s icon but Rick Astley showed Bournemouth last night that he is far more than just that.

The sell-out show followed his sensational slot at last year’s Let’s Rock festival on Southampton Common when he made a spectacular return to the music business with his chart-topping album 50 – written by him to mark his milestone birthday.

The two-hour BIC show gave Rick the scope to not only play the big hits but also a good number of excellent tracks from 50 alongside some unexpected covers in a varied repertoire of uptempo disco and slow love ballads.

At 51 Rick is little changed with his trademark quiff, trim physique and 80’s dance moves whilst the distinctive deep, rich vocals are more effortlessly powerful and heartfelt than ever before.

It seems incredible that he famously retired from the music business in 1993 aged just 27. And, having had the massive 1987 hit never Gonna Give You Up as part of the Stock Aitken and Waterman hit factory, who could have predicted this incredible come back with such a brilliant collection of new work?

From the moment he opened the show with Coming Home Tonight from 50 he was on to a winner. In fact, some of the new album tracks proved real highlights of the show, especially Angels on my Side, which is the most uplifting, positive track. Rick’s vocals on Keep Singing, meanwhile, were very reminiscent of the mighty Tom Jones with a deep, soulful, gospel feel. The two fabulous girl backing singers shone on this too.

The show struck just the right balance between old and new songs. Second song in was Together Forever which saw everyone leap out of their seats and cheer.

Introducing the smoochy Hold Me in Your Arms Rick said it was for all the men who had been “dragged” there by their wives, saying it was an opportunity to have a cuddle in the dark , at which point one woman threw her black bra on stage and Rick humorously slung it over his shoulder!

The Lancashire lad was full of fun, joking about being “high on Yorkshire tea” but he also spoke from the heart getting quite emotional after singing new song Wish Away saying :”It always gets to me. Writing some of these songs brought tears to my eyes- if you don’t feel it there is no point.”

One big highlight of the show was his cover of Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You, even though he pulled on his glasses in case he needed to read the lyrics although he was ably assisted by thousands of fans who danced and sang throughout.

The encore featured the 80’s classic Take Me to Your Heart and inevitably concluded with his smash hit Never Gonna Give You Up – a number one in 25 countries whipping the audience up into a frenzy of nostalgic partying.

Obviously Rick loved every moment as much as the fans as he thanked them for an amazing night and asked if they would come back if he did.

“Yes!” they all shouted …we’re “Never Gonna Give You Up Rick!"