SOME fans feared he might never play to a home crowd again - but Craig David proves the doubters resoundingly wrong this week with a double whammy of local dates.

Still only 22, the R&B sensation has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last few years, his credentials as one of the world's most talented young singer-songwriters now surely beyond dispute.

With two best-selling albums and a string of hit singles to his name, the boy who was raised on Southampton's Holyrood estate is now one of the most in-demand artists on the planet, with some of the biggest names in music queuing up to share in his glory. The last time he played Southampton, in November 2000, Craig was 19 and a rising star. Three years on and he has more than lived up to his early promise, following his acclaimed debut album, Born To Do It, with a second helping of polished, self-penned R&B, Slicker Than Your Average - and, most significant of all, a major Stateside following.

With speculation about everything from his love life to his property investments rife, Craig is as hot as ever - and, it seems, here to stay.

You can see Craig David at Bournemouth International Centre on Sunday and playing a free acoustic gig, accompanied by guitarist Fraser T Smith, at the Rose Bowl, West End on Monday.

Tickets for the BIC gig are sold out, but some may be available as returns (box office: 01202 456456). HMV and Virgin in Southampton will be giving away tickets for the Rose Bowl gig on Monday.

For an exclusive new interview with Craig, plus new pictures, see tomorrow's Weekend Magazine in the Daily Echo.