Cheryl Cole thrills home crowd at Metro Radio Arena - GALLERY
Cheryl Cole performing at Metro Radio Arena
:: Click here to see a gallery of pictures from last night's show
THE first and last time I was in a room with Cheryl Cole, we were holding hands backstage at what is now the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.
It was June 2003, and the then Miss Tweedy was preparing for her first performance at the Telewest Arena with her Girls Aloud bandmates as part of one of those compilation pop tours.
Aside from observing the all-girl group were bordering on being pocket-sized (as was Dannii Minogue who was on the same bill and sporting some vintage 80s stilettos, presumably from a Barbie car boot sale), I can honestly say Ive never seen anyone so uncontrollably nervous.
This was a 19-year-old truly terrified about letting her home fans down.
She was shaking, crying and openly concerned about spoiling her combat- themed stagewear with an impromptu vomit. Hence the hand-holding on my part, which I think youll agree was over and above, considering the latter point.
Nevertheless, my as yet unused maternal instinct moved me to point out that there was an arena full of people willing her to do well millions had voted her into the band via the shortlived Popstars: The Rivals talent search on ITV1 and she was royally backed up by her fellow Girls Alouders who surrounded her like one of those snuggly Slankets.
Of course the performance went swimmingly and the band who unveiled a single and teaser video of their much- talked- about reunion yesterday and will be making a big announcement on Friday went on to platinum-plated success until their 2009 hiatus, including numerous headline returns to the venue.
Meanwhile, Cheryl herself has been elevated to national treasure status via the combined and mysterious forces of The X-Factor, the tabloid telling of a failed marriage, publicly played out spats and make-ups with self-styled global media god Simon Cowell ... and of course a trio of solo albums.
But through it all Ive never forgotten the image of a fun-size popstar in pre-show turmoil as she waited to entertain her home crowd.
Last night, almost 10 years later, Cheryl was back at the Arena, and it was immediately clear that a couple of things had changed.
Firstly, despite my moving account of our previous meeting, there would be no hand holding this time round.
I couldnt even get a tweet, never mind a meet and greet with the Geordie pop princess whose A Million Lights tour arrived for a two-date finale on Tyneside. How quickly they forget. Secondly, if she was nervous, the now 29-year-old has learned to hide it behind a polished, professional and patriotic persona.
There would be ! no nervou! s vomiting on this night ... unless she gets queasy from doing that crazy swan dive she debuted on the X Factor last year.
From the moment she gracefully planted herself among her troupe of fit (in every sense of the word) dancers, through a once around the hits and hits-to-be from her solo back catalogue, and beyond a nostalgic and crowd-pleasing Girls Aloud medley, Cheryl was on it as I believe they say in the music trade.
Styled by Renelou Padora, our lass (according to the group to my left) sported costumes including a gold jump suit frilly black number and a skimpy pink tracksuit during the 75-minute set.
And the three-quarters-full Arena greeted each with the kind of cheers a Newcastle crowd reserve for one of their own.
Not that she didnt deserve it. A bells, whistles and screen-laden production, together with a flurry of fast and furious dance routines and catchy tracks gave everyone what they came for.
Including its headline lass who let the emotion flow by the end of the one Ive been waiting for.
And the now mother in me believed her 100%.
Cheryl Cole plays the Metro Radio Arena again tonight.
:: Click here to see a gallery of pictures from last night's show