HE'S coming home!

The city's own singing sensation Craig David gets his Southampton residency under way tonight with his first ever visit to Mayflower Theatre.

The Southampton star, who grew up on the Holyrood estate, has never even stepped foot inside the door of the city's landmark building, but he's looking forward to putting that right with four live dates in September.

Craig told the Daily Echo: "The crazy thing is I know how iconic the Mayflower is and I know how many incredible people have performed there and I remember that lovely old building from when I was growing up and I'm just thrilled to be doing the dates there.

"I used to walk past it all the time as a kid, but I never actually went there. So I've never actually been inside and I think it's going to blow my mind!

"I think music is cyclical and now really feels like the 90s and 00s when I was releasing music with Artful Dodger. After 17 years of my career, I feel rejuvenated. I feel like I'm 16 again going out selling my mixes around Southampton.

"I've got so much passion and enthusiasm because I know what those songs have created. People are always telling me we met when that song was playing or it reminds them of a holiday or special moment. They're time stamps on peoples lives and that's all down to Southampton.

"I'm so grateful the people of Southampton and the love they've always shown me. I know they've got my back and they know I'm one of them even though I don't live there at the moment. There's nothing but love there. You can take the boy out of Southampton, but you can't take Southampton out of the boy!"

Fans can expect to hear all the classics like Fill Me In, 7 Days and Walking Away as well as songs from his latest release Following My Intuition, the record that saw him return to number one in the official album charts, in a show which combines his live band and celebrated TS5 set.

Craig, 35, who has been working on new music and recently appeared on the Chase & Status track Reload, added: "It feels exactly the same as when I had just released Rewind, except with 17 years of wisdom! I can't wait to get back to Southampton and really enjoy being there - seeing family, hanging out with old friends and spending some time going through my record collection."

The dates, which replace a planned visit to the Ageas Bowl tonight, follow his record-breaking summer residency with the TS5 Pool Party in Ibiza and a host of festivals all over Europe.

Craig will be performing at Mayflower Theatre on September 1, 11, 12 and 13. Tickets and details from craigdavid.com.