James Arthur back at Buttermarket to delight Shrewsbury fans

Fans were chanting his name long before the Brit nominee took to the stage in Shrewsbury, and when he stepped out he was greeted by ecstatic screams.

But it was obvious from the start that as much as the Shropshire crowd loves James Arthur, he loves them back, having chosen the Buttermarket as his only return gig since his X Factor win.

James, who started rehearsals for the X Factor tour yesterday, went on to meet and greet fans after his performance, which included I'm Sexy

And I know It, his original song, Faded, You're Just Too Good To Be True, Hometown Glory, an exclusive rendition of his original song, Habit, and of course Impossible, which has sold more than one million copies.

One woman who couldn't wait to see her idol was finance officer Jodie Jones, 23, who is expecting a baby boy in April.

She said: "I am going to call him Charlie James after James Arthur.

"I have come all the way from Wrexham to see this.

"He is amazing, both as a singer and as a person – from how he started out to what he has become, he is an inspiration."

Nicola Miller, 41, also from Wrexham and who works for Wrexham Council, said: "He is amazing. I voted for him on X Factor. I do love him and the whole set was amazing. He can take any song and make it his own. I have never known anyone do that to that degree."

It was the second time Louise Jones, from Shrewsbury, brought youngsters Elisha Bayley, 12, and Sasha Woodhouse, 11, to see the singer at The Buttermarket. She said: "The girls love James and it was a good night last time so we thought we would come again. It's been brilliant."

Sheila Jones, from Shrewsbury, refused to let an operation a week ago stop her from coming to the concert on crutches. She said she had 'loved' the night while her friend Rebecca Handley, from Shrewsbury, said she was up early to get the tickets.

Toni Cassidy, 24, a carer from Hollinswood, Telford, said she had been to both of James' gigs at the Buttermarket.

"Last time we were on the dance floor. He is 100 per cent better than on the TV. He is phenomenal here."

Andy O'Brien, from Shrewsbury, bass guitarist with upcoming band The ClockTower, was first on stage, warming up the crowd.

Andy, whose band was heading off to play at The King's Head, Mardol, afterwards, said: "I sang a couple of songs and they were really in to it.

"I did a lot of covers, but for one reason, to please everyone."

Also on stage was TICH, performing tracks from her new EP, and The Voice star Max Milner.

Max said: "The night was incredible, brilliant. It is a great venue here and the sound is just phenomenal."