He had to work hard for his roses. Chris De Burgh could have used a giant-sized hair dryer to thaw and dry out his audience.

Most people had been caught in a downpour as they walked to the Brighton Centre.

De Burgh heard the deluge from his dressing room and told his fans: "I know, it's a rainy Wednesday."

There was a decidedly cool reception but the ballads proved to be most effective heaters and De Burgh's husky voice hit the notes as accurately as ever.

He sang for more than two hours and would still be on stage now if the audience had had its way.

De Burgh is adored by his fans and he responds in kind, acknowledging possibly his oldest admirer in the world.

The 91-year-old cheerily waved back to him. Fans began moving towards the stage as De Burgh launched into his signature song Lady In Red.

When the song hit number one, he feared it would change and ruin his career but, in fact, it made it for him.

Today, he sings it with more care and feeling than ever. The audience was transfixed and soaked up the ambience.

De Burgh is not one to stay in the past all night and he sang several new songs. He has just finished two nights at the Albert Hall and, before that, he was in Beirut, which was the cue for Lebanese Nights.

De Burgh had them dancing in the aisles by the finish and they, in turn, had him back on stage for more time and again.

Chocolates and roses were hurled on stage but, eventually, De Burgh had to go: "I'm tired," he mouthed.

At 54, De Burgh may not be a spring chicken but he is still more than value for money.

Review by Joan Mills features@theargus.co.uk