Perfect for the season, this show will take some beating for splendour, professional delivery, marvellous entertainment and awesome singers and big band musicians.

From the straw poll he took at the beginning, about three-quarters of the audience had been to see Jools Holland before on his annual Christmas date in Brighton.

He didn’t ask who of the remaining quarter would be back next year, but at a guess it’ll be mostly everyone.

Louise Marshall and Mabel Ray, Rumer, and Ruby Turner all performed mini-sets bringing boogie-woogie, swing and blues numbers to the fore.

It was an absolute treat, leaving no doubt that Sirens Of Song, also featuring KT Tunstall, Emeli Sande and Mel C, is an album for the Christmas list.

Individual band members were generously showcased under a spotlight for their enviable mastery of drums, sax, trumpet, keyboards from the outset.

Marc Almond chose to revive his early 1980s Soft Cell days but no one was complaining - Tainted Love got many up dancing.

Holland and bro Christopher’s keyboard skills left superlatives wanting; a camera zoom-in on their hands made a mesmerising backdrop.

A festive gathering, they all sent us off with Enjoy Yourself, an earworm for the season.