Dua Lipa celebrates ’emotional’ return to UK with breathtaking live performance

DUA LIPA celebrated an “emotional” return to home soil after kicking off the domestic leg of her three-times-postponed Future Nostalgia world tour on Friday night.

It’s been five years since she graced the stage at Manchester’s AO Arena and in that time she’s graduated from a rising songstress to the UK’s hottest female pop star.

Dua has clearly found her strut touring the show in the US for the past two months.

She confidently sashayed around the stage, flanked by a squad of energetic dancers.

It seemed fitting that her opening number was Physical, which instantly had the 21,000-strong crowd on their feet — and in the palm of her hand.

She told us: “This is the best welcome home ever. We’ve been waiting so long to put this show on. We moved it and postponed it and finally we’re here.

“I was looking at pictures of my previous shows here in Manchester and I got really emotional, as so much has changed in what feels like so little time.”

Dua went on: “I want to thank you so much for listening to the music and all your support for dancing with us.

“It means the world. Thank you for allowing me to be on this stage.”

The two days she spent holed up at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena perfecting the show clearly paid off, as her set was tight and polished.

When Dua dropped Future Nostalgia at the height of the pandemic — as artists left, right and centre were holding off releasing new material — it became an unlikely success story.

The world was stuck at home, desperate to go out, having kitchen dance parties instead.

It is easy to see why music legends Madonna and Elton John have pounced on the opportunity to work with her, while fashion maven Donatella Versace is on her speed-dial.

Dua’s vocals were consistent throughout Friday night’s performance. She even held a note while being carried in a horizontal pose by an army of hunks.

And Dua showed off her enviable Amazonian figure via four changes of outfit, focusing on eye-popping bodysuits.

Props were kept to a minimum, with just a few Rihanna-esque umbrellas, heart-shaped disco balls and cowboy hats, which she threw into the rapturous crowd.

Following this storming opener are gigs in Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow, Nottingham, Cardiff and Liverpool, before two nights at London’s 02 Arena.

Forget Future Nostalgia. Dua couldn’t be more now.

Two pints back with Sheri?

SHERIDAN Smith launched her telly career with the help of BBC sitcom Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps.

And another round might be on the cards after she reached out to co-stars Will Mellor and Ralf Little.

Will has claimed Sheridan ignored his calls “for years”. But sources say she recently got in touch, sparking speculation she might be about to reprise her role as Cheeky Vimto fan Janet.

A source said: “In recent weeks she’s reached out to Will and Ralf, who are currently on the Two Pints Live! tour together, and started following them both on social media.”

In January Will said he and Ralf, who played Sheridan’s screen hubby Jonny, had scripts for a revamp, Two Pints: Last Orders. But Beeb bosses had turned it down.Sheridan’s return might just prompt a U-turn.

Spencer is Mr Brogue Williams

HE’S an Eton-educated toff but former Made In Chelsea favourite Spencer Matthews loves all things Irish.

According to his missus Vogue Williams, Spencer has even tried to get an Irish passport.

Irish-born Vogue, who released her fourth Little Mistress clothing collection last month, said: “Spencer would like to think he is Irish and has been trying to get himself an Irish passport.

“But he doesn’t qualify because of Brexit. We love anything to do with Ireland.”

The mother of two, who has another on the way, says she tries to keep her kids in the loop on their Irish heritage.

She said: “When it’s St Patrick’s Day, I explain it to the kids. I order all my favourite Irish products.”

Despite all the famous people she’s met in her career, there’s one Irishman Vogue is too shy to approach.

She revealed: “I’ve seen Graham Norton twice at parties and I just love him. I can’t go up and ask for a picture. I feel really starstruck.”

'I rap alot'

HE’S about to play a singer and Daniel Radcliffe has quite the repertoire in real life.

The actor, who’s starring in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, says he belts out Celine Dion while doing karaoke with actress girlfriend Erin Darke. But that’s not all.

He added: “Because I am a white person of a certain age, I rap a lot.

“There is a lot of Eminem.”

'Men are trash'

DURING Friday’s headline set at Coachella, Harry Styles thanked the woman he says he owes it all to. No, not his mum. Shania Twain.

He welcomed Shania on stage before the pair, both wearing sparkling sequined outfits, sang her hits Man! I Feel Like A Woman! and You’re Still The One.

Harry told fans: “This lady taught me how to sing. She also told me men are trash.”

Saying she was “a bit starstruck”, Shania added: “When I was writing this song you were a little kid.”

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