Just 500 people watched the intimate gig

The event, at the Hampshire Rose Bowl in Southampton, was played to a crowd of about 500 people, many of whom had queued since the small hours for tickets.

Southampton FC and England striker James Beattie was among the VIPs to watch David's performance, in which the star was accompanied by just an acoustic guitar.

David, 22, became the youngest British male artist to hit the number-one spot in the UK charts with his debut single "Fill Me In", released in March 2000 when he was 19.

Hundreds of fans queued for hours to meet David

Since growing up on Southampton's Holyrood Estate, his R'n'B tunes have seen him rise to international stardom.

Before the concert, his first in the city since appearing at the Guildhall in November 2000, he greeted hundreds of fans at the HMV music shop, signing autographs and CDs.

He then visited St Mary's Stadium, home of Southampton FC, where he joined Saints stars James Beattie, Jason Dodd, Matt le Tissier and manager Gordon Strachan in supporting the Racism Just Ain't Saintly campaign.

David visited striker James Beattie at Southampton FC

He told the BBC: "I wouldn't have wanted to grow up anywhere else - it's such a multi-cultural, cosmopolitan city.

"And people do get behind each other and it was great with the music scene with The Artful Dodger coming out, me able to do my thing - and at the same time as having the saviour of Matthew Le Tissier at Southampton.

"My mother and father and friends are still here so I try my best to stay in touch but some of them don't understand that I'm the same guy who used to kick a football down the park and go to the pub.