“Rhydian is in a different league – he's amazing” says Celine Dion, and he lived up to her glowing tribute with a mesmerising performance that earned two standing ovations.

Welsh baritone Rhydian Roberts' wowed us with his powerful, rich, captivating voice and magnetic personality.

Despite being in a car accident that day, and needing tea to clear his throat, he oozed charm and gave electrifying renditions of Music Of The Night, This Is My Life and The Impossible Dream.

Rhydian, who many thought was robbed by phone voting glitches when finishing runner-up to Leon Jackson in the X Factor 2007 final, also treated the audience to numbers from album One Day Like This, which has enjoyed ten weeks at number one in the Official Classical charts.

He was given excellent support by Britain's Got Talent operatic sensation Lucy Kay and West End star Abigail Jaye.

Lucy, who performed alone for the first 40 minutes, was singled out for special praise by Rhydian, but Abigail showed the better stage presence.

All three singers were well backed up by a five-piece band, led by musical director Ben Kennedy, with trumpeter Simon Crick also providing vocals.

Four stars