BIG THANK YOU FROM SPARKLING POP ROYALTY

Fresh from playing Glastonbury last weekend, and following on from her Platinum Party at the Palace performance a couple of weeks ago, pop superstar Diana Ross stopped off at Durham Riverside on her Thank You tour on Wednesday evening.

Fans who flocked to the Chesterle-Street stadium heard the 78-year-old American performing some of her greatest hits - from Supremes’ classics including Baby Love and Stop! In the Name of Love, to later solo favourites such as Chain Reaction, I’m Still Waiting and Upside Down.

By way of coincidence, Ross was appearing in the region exactly 25 years ago, on that occasion at Newcastle Arena - her first time up here since 1973.

Our photos from June 30, 1997, capture the star performing (the first of two sold-out nights at the venue), and our review by the Chronicle’s long-time showbusiness man Gordon Barr recalls an excellent show:

Diana came, Diana saw - Diana conquered. The world’s best-selling female singer showed just why she’s just that in one of the classiest shows yet seen at the Arena.

Looking less than half her 53 years, Diana gave today’s great pretenders of pop a run for their money as she sang her way through more than three decades of hits, keeping fans of all ages happy.

From the moment she ran on stage - wearing a sparkling sequinned mini dress - she won the audience over, talking to them, cuddling them and inviting the lucky few on stage with her for a dance and a kiss (will they ever wash their faces again?).

The show kicked off with Take Me Higher, followed by a thumping Chain Reaction and the wonderful I’m Still Waiting, continuing with many of her greatest Supremes hits, her more recent numbers and a selection of Billie Holiday classics from Lady Sings The Blues.

Every number was received rapturously, with the highlights being When You Tell Me That You Love Me, You Keep Me Hanging On, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and I Will Survive.