By Joanna Wilson BBC News Online

Duran Duran's John Taylor (left) and Simon Le Bon in action at their UK comeback concert

Reunions often sound good in theory, but don't always live up to high expectations.

But as a loyal Duranie, I had high hopes that my pop heroes from 1983 could pull it off in 2003 - as did the other 1,999 people at north London's Forum on Tuesday night.

Despite rave reviews of their recent comeback shows in Japan and the US, the UK would be the acid test.

Nostalgia

The atmosphere was electric inside the venue - this was our chance to see the real thing, the five of them back together on one stage.

The venue filled up with groups of nostalgic 30-somethings eagerly flicking through shiny silver programmes, and several had already put on their newly acquired tour T-shirts.

When the band finally came on stage, it was just as I imagined it would be - helped since they have aged gracefully and kept all their hair.

The Duran magic of old was very much in evidence

Simon Le Bon was in nostalgic mode too, kitted out in a white jacket and shoes, while Roger Taylor seemed to be wearing the same style of short-sleeved white top I remember from 20 years ago.

The original Duran Duran line-up as they looked in the 80s

After the odd shaky moment early on - Le Bon was almost drowned out by the rest of the band on a few songs - it all clicked into place and the Duran magic of old was very much in evidence.

During the second half, which included Notorious, Wild Boys, Careless Memories and Rio - each song greeted with wild cheers - the boys were on a roll, to the crowd's delight.

At the end, the band beamed at each other as they took a bow. Le Bon seemed overwhelmed as he held his hand to his chest, before waving to the audience one last time.