IT’S been 19 long years but last night Gary Barlow finally returned to the BIC for the first show of his 16-gig sell out tour.

The X-Factor judge showed exactly why he is one of the country’s biggest stars as he performed a fantastic selection of his smash hits from the last two decades.

See all our pictures of Gary Barlow at the BIC

There were no dancers and no fancy staging - just Gary, his fab songs and brilliant band.

He launched onto stage with Take That’s Greatest Day, which the crowd loved, and went onto perform top hits Million Love Songs, The Circus, Love Ain’t Here Anymore and Pray.

Gary also played some of his solo material including Open Road, Forever Autumn from the new War of the Worlds album and Sing – the song he penned with Andrew Lloyd Webber for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

 

Tonight was the best opening night I've ever had ! Thank you Bournemouth #crackingcrowd

— Gary Barlow (@GBarlowOfficial) November 13, 2012

A suited and booted Gary also performed the Take That song I Never Loved You at All with support act Nell Brydon before moving onto an upbeat swing section.

Next Gary and his band played out some of That That’s biggest hits including The Flood, Patience and Back for Good.

He was mobbed by the audience as he took a walk about during Everything Changes and thrilled the screaming crowd with his version of Robbie Williams’ current Number One Candy, which he co-wrote with his bandmate.

The banter with the audience was good as Gary spoke about how he was going to deliver his next critique to X-Factor finalist Rylan on Saturday night.

The thousands of fans who got tickets for this special tour are in for a real treat. Gary can do no wrong and there was a lot of love for the Barlow in Bournemouth – hopefully he won’t leave it another 19 years before he’s back again.