Hollywood entertainer John Barrowman wowed a crowd of thousands at Salford's Proms in the Park.
The Torchwood star performed a glitzy set of showstoppers at the event in Buile Hill. It was the third time Salford has hosted the show and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, sponsored by the council to the tune of £20m, didn't disappoint an expectant crowd.
Barrowman, better known to millions as Captain Jack from BBC's Doctor Who and its spin-off Torchwood, added a touch of glamour to the damp proceedings, kick-starting his set with hits from The Pink Panther and Mack and Mabel. After an interlude of traditional Last Night tunes, he returned and got the crowd screaming with camp classics Don't Rain On My Parade and I Am What I Am.
Barrowman said: “I've had a wonderful time. I think it's a really great opportunity for people to come and hear a variety of different types of music - from the classical Proms music to my kind of entertainment. It's what the BBC do so well bringing different types of music all across the country.
“It's great that all this money isn't concentrated in London and you can have these events in Glasgow, Salford and across the country. And it's great to have such an amazing reception from the people of Salford. “
He said of his performance: “I'm an entertainer and I don't have a stage persona as such. What you see up there is what you get. That's just me.”
Also on stage were Monton opera star Jon Christos and local girl Jenny Williams who warmed the crowd up with a special 'Salford show'.
Mezzo soprano Juliette Pochin – a regular at the event – wowed in a dazzling red ball gown and blew the crowd away with her impressive vocals.
The BBC Philharmonic were the real stars of the show, though, with a specially composed MediaCity medley.
Theme tunes of all the major BBC programmes due to move north to Salford Quays – Match Of The Day, Grandstand, Postman Pat and even the Teletubbies – featured. Conducted by Stephen Bell, the BBC Phil started the flag waving early on with the Great Escape, before linking up to London's Royal Albert Hall for You'll Never Walk Alone.
The crowd at Buile Hill, just a stone’s throw from United’s Old Trafford ground, put up a noisy resistance to the choice of song, but soon found their voice. Last Night favourites Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance rounded off proceedings, before a spectacular fireworks display.
Council leader John Merry said: “This is the third year that we've hosted the event here and it is good to see that the crowds still love it - it's not just a novelty event.”
The Salford concert is one of five live events linked to the Royal Albert Hall.
The others were held at Hyde Park, Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland, Caird Hall in Dundee and Swansea's Singleton Park.
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? is he a Hollywood entertainer.
Or an entertainer ?
Hope all enjoyed themselves
Shame he can't sing.
Jon Christos, like Russell Watson, is not an opera star, unless someone can remind me of the operas they have been in.
''The crowd at Buile Hill, just a stone throw from united's Sold Trafford????????''
It's probably two miles away............. (rolls eyes)
a very good night had by all except for 1 thing,whos choice to play "youll never walk alone"i have never seen so many portaloos,burger vans & beer tents fill up so quickly,John Barrowman not bad wouldnt class him as an Hollywood entertainer just a decent entertainer but not bad
my ears are bleeding
It was a great night night well done Salford City Council excellent organisation and a wonderful nigt was had by all
wonderful night, same about the few drunk people spoiling it for other people... until they got thrownout so well done security!
John Barrowman .... A star!!
A wonderful evening - I loved John Barrowman, but star of the show for me was Juliette Pochin. Bit more classical music in the programme would have been nice, but it was a thoroughly entertaining evening.
i was their at the proms and its the first time to one i go again it was very well organisation and the star of the show goes to john barrowman with out him beening their you would not have a show
lturton wirral
I had such an enjoyable evening,thought John Barrowman was so good,would have liked to have seen Jon Christos
sing on his own in the main programme,but I loved the pre concert entertainment he and Jenny Williams
treated the crowd to. also I thought Jon presented the evening very well and at least he did come on and sing at the end with
Jukiette Pochin(was as usual was wonderul) and also You'll Never Walk Alone. Juliette looked stunning in her red gown and her voice is second to none. Well done to everyone concerned from what I could see the crowd had a ball!