Shayne Ward proves he still has X factor in Buttermarket gig
Hundreds of revellers descended on Shropshire to see former X factor winner Shayne Ward's long-awaited county gig.
The X Factor and Dancing on Ice star was originally due to play at the Buttermarket in Shrewsbury on March 23 but heavy snow blizzards which battered the country forced the cancellation of the gig.
But the rescheduled show on Saturday lived up to expectations as about 700 adoring fans flocked to the Howard Street venue to see three support acts take to the stage before the 28-year-old singer performed six of his tracks and an encore.
Ward rose to fame after winning the second series of X Factor in 2005 and went on to score a number one hit with That's My Goal.
The singer also spent an hour meeting a host of fans in the VIP section of the club following his performance and later tweeted to his 238,000 followers: "Last night at @TheButtermarket was amazing! To the fans you were fantastic and in fine voice. Thank you so much for having me and I'm sure I'll see you guys very soon. Xxx"
He went for dinner in The Peach Tree in Abbey Foregate before the performance and tweeted that it was 'outstanding' food and service and that he will '100 per cent be dining out there again soon'.
Martin Monahan, Buttermarket owner, said Ward's show was one of the best that had been held at the Buttermarket. He said: "He was amazing, outstanding. He delighted all his fans. He has an amazing voice and all the support acts were outstanding too."
He said people had started coming to the concerts from as far away as Glasgow, Manchester and London and it was proving to be a big boost for the town.
He said: "It is staggering, the economic impact on Shrewsbury is there because these people are staying in hotels."
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