IF I was going to miss Strictly Come Dancing on a Saturday night, it would have to be for something special.

The annual Classical Spectacular at the MEN Arena is pretty special and after nearly three hours of rousing patriotism, fireworks, fantastic music, brilliant singing and a few cannons thrown in for good measure — celebrities twirling around the dancefloor did not get a look in!

Next year the Classical Spectacular will be 20 years old and judging by the capacity audience at the Arena, it obviously has the right ingredients.

It is popular classical music for the masses but nonetheless thoroughly enjoyable. There was some Sousa — a rousing march; Bizet — the Toreador song; some Brahms, Verdi and Rossini. All this was coupled with am amazing laser light show.

Conductor John Rigby engaged with his audience and led the Halle Orchestra beautifully. The musicians were on great form and the Leeds Festival Chorus was in magnificent voice.

Tenor John Hudson and baritone David Kempster sent shivers down the spine with The Pearl Fishers duet by Bizet and again with Nessun Dorma.

One of the highlight performances was from Manchester’s own Jonathan Scott on piano whose Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue was another spine tingler.

Audience participation is a must, so with Union flags waving, everyone gave their own renditions of Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.

The climax was the 1812 Overture with the Moscow Militia providing the extra special effects. Fireworks, cannon fire, musket shot and smoke effects for good measure, had everyone on their feet.

In the middle of a recession on a cold, rainy Manchester night, this was the stuff to lift the gloom and send you home, slightly deaf, but with a song in your heart.

Make a date on your calendar for next year’s show.