The Prince Charming of pop went on a royal progress from the rear of the Apollo Theatre's auditorium before taking to the stage for his sell-out Oxford show on Sunday, writes Joanna Plumb.

The Irish mega-star passed through the mass of outstretched hands, touching a few here and there, before climbing on stage to a rapturous welcome. Ronan Keating was in Oxford and ready to give it his best shot and he certainly didn't let his fans down. He said he was glad to be back. It had been five years since his last appearance singing lead vocals with Boyzone. And, he said, he liked the intimacy of the Apollo he was rarely that near his audience.

He charmed the girls, chatting in his lilting Irish voice, before singing his way through a whole string of chart-topping songs.

There were several hits from his band Boyzone including Baby Can I Hold You Tonight and Picture of You. Father and Son was made all the more poignant when Ronan revealed he thought of his own baby son, Jack, when he sang it.

Then he moved on to his solo hits When You Say Nothing At All from the hit film Notting Hill, Rollercoaster and his latest The Way You Make Me Feel.

Although predominantly teenage, the audience also included pensioners such is the appeal of Ronan.

Ronan certainly gave Oxford his heart and soul on Sunday night. We can only hope it won't be too long before he returns.