BOLTON loves Sir Elton John. And the superstar loves Bolton writes Angela Kelly

As he rocked the Reebok on Sunday night (June 5), he told more than 20,000 fans that the town is "the epicentre of coolness".

He listed Peter Kay as one of the reasons, and the Bolton comic proved his allegiance by becoming Elton's "warm-up man", surprising and delighting the audience by his appearance.

Elton, he told them, was just watching Last of the Summer Wine - taping the Antiques Roadshow, of course - before coming on. Laughter and a few choruses of Amarillo followed, and then it was the main attraction's turn.

Lulu had set the scene for a lively night with her entertaining show, now here was the man himself, resplendent in black frock coat and matching trousers, both decorated with a large flower, a red silk shirt, cravat and (for him) restrained glasses.

To a Reebok roar, he went straight into Pinball Wizard, laying his magic over the vast stadium more used to entertaining opposing factions.

The crowd was united behind Team Elton.

Daniel followed, dedicated to Sam Allardyce "whom I admire very much" the singer said.

Then, to the fans' delight, he moved down Memory Lane, touching on three decades of hits but throwing in, every now and then, an offering from his latest album, Peachtree Road, or his new hit musical, Billy Elliott.

With his accomplished and seasoned five-piece backing group, he moved on through a fantastically soulful rendition of Rocket Man, his voice soaring above the metal struts of the stadium into a night that respectfully remained dry.

Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word brought recent memories for him of a music session with the great Ray Charles just before he died "and when he was very frail".

Elton, flashing that cherubic grin at the stalls on a regular basis, knows everything about audience-craft.

He made them emotional, he made them joyful. He got them on their feet with Philadelphia Freedom, I'm Still Standing and The Bitch is Back.

And the audience knew every word of almost every song.

Where else but at an Elton John concert would you get grandmas next to grungy teens? Or a couple waltzing in the aisle to Sad Songs?

No-one threw their bra on stage. No-one overdosed - unless you count hot Bovril.

But they knew about rock, soul and Elton John's hits. And they loved him.

His own standards have never flagged, either. He liked the eight-man gospel choir with whom he recorded in Atlanta so much that he brought them on tour, filling out the backing with wonderful harmonies.

He finished with Crocodile Rock, and they wanted more, so he came back for the emotional Your Song.

Appreciation rose into the night sky and must have reached for miles.

This is early in a 61-venue tour which takes him all over England, Europe and America, next stop Norway.

Hurry back, Elton. Bolton is waiting for an encore.