POP singer Paloma Faith nearly didn’t make last Sunday’s performance at The Hexagon, in Reading – only getting out of hospital 24 hours previously.

Still bruised from tests carried out on her arm after suffering from low blood pressure the Hackney-born singer valiantly ploughed on, sometimes resting on a chair set out for her.

The news that she had cancelled three shows previous to Sunday’s must have been well-known to the men and women who turned up with Paloma-style headwear and images depicting their hero on their T-shirts.

So it was with, perhaps, a louder cheer then normal that the singer took to the large all-white stage.

Conscious of having to cancel shows, the first 45 minutes or so were interjected with the singer describing how upset she was with having to cancel gigs calling it the ‘bane of her life’.

Her Cockney accent, which has a babyish quality to it, makes her very likeable and the talks seemed very genuine – sparking ‘We love you, Paloma’ and ‘Keep going, Paloma you are brilliant’ from the audience.

For the first couple of songs a slight lack of energy was understandably noticeable but once she had joked with the audience that they needed to provide most of the energy for the night – hers and the crowd’s spirits lifted.

Backed by an eight-piece band, all of whom displayed their own considerable talents with solos, the Picking Up The Pieces singer stomped and danced her way through songs from her latest album, A Perfect Contradiction.

Throughout the night the singer was note perfect while her dancing was reminiscent of Tina Turner – who she would later pay tribute by taking on the challenging River Deep Mountain High.

She often broke off to chat, in a confident, friendly and often humorous manner, to the audience.

Demand for tickets was extremely high with The Hexagon receiving calls on the night from hopefuls still trying to bag a last minute place and it was easy to see why.

The set was visually stunning with staircases leading from one performer to another.

The all-white colour was offset by the performers who dressed in smart monochrome numbers.

There aren’t too many performers who could go from hospital bed to stage in 24 hours and put together a performance that was so magnificent as Paloma Faith did and for that she should be praised.

When she comes back to Reading, make sure you get in early as it will certainly be a night to remember.