Lionel Richie left the Colchester crowd dancing ‘All Night Long’ with a scintillating set at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Initially the weather threatened to put a dampener on the events, but when Lionel walked out the sun followed.

A two hour set packed full of hits had the crowd on their feet and singing from start to finish.

The concert was opened by Corinne Bailey-Rae who battled to put smiles on the faces of a crowd getting soaked in a downpour.

After a quick six song, half an hour set, she departed and it was time for the headline act to take the stage.

Lionel opened with ‘Running with the Night’, a perfect track to get the crowd immediately into the gig.

The American superstar was as on form between songs as he was during them.

The Colchester, or as he aptly named it Cold-chester, crowd was made to feel as integral to the performance as the band thanks to Lionel’s interaction.

After spotting an 11-year-old girl in the front row Mr Richie explained to her, in three stages with three songs, “Why Mum keeps crying”.

The final few songs of the set were what everyone had been waiting for.

‘Dancing on the Ceiling’ was followed by ‘Hello’, ‘We are the World’ and ‘All Night Long’.

A roaring standing ovation for Lionel ended the concert, as the crowd continued to dance on their way out of the ground.

As they queued for buses a helicopter carrying the headline act passed overhead and another huge roar rose from the crowd.

For more pictures and reaction from the concert, pick up Monday’s Gazette which will include seven pages of coverage. 

Click here for videos and a gallery.