Pausing to address the audience for the first time, Estelle announced: “I've got s*** to get off my chest.” Although only ten minutes of her London show had elapsed, the choice of words was unfortunate. As she struggled to contain herself in a black strapless dress, it had already become clear that keeping something - anything - on her chest might be the greatest short-term challenge facing her.

But then, Estelle Swaray isn't averse to challenges. A year ago the notion that the singer - who scored an isolated hit four years ago with the autobiographical 1980 - might have spent a month at No1 this year would have seemed implausible. Still less that the song in question - American Boy - would have had Kanye West providing a cameo role.

The US may have taken to the 28-year-old West Londoner, but the relatives crowding the balcony above Estelle served as a reminder that this is still where her home and much of her inspiration lies. Assisted by an assured band performance, Magnificent exhibited all the qualities that make Estelle, at her best, such an attractive pop proposition right now. Fossilising soul, pop and Jamaican dancehall into one single source of fuel, the singer projected a charisma that acknowledged where she came from while, at the same time, transcending it.

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For one fan, who leapt onstage for Hey You, it was all too much. Estelle invited him to dance. For a moment forgetting the onlookers - including one uncontainably excited woman with a luminous foghorn - he even rested a hand on the back of her leg.

From here on Estelle could have done worse than sing the whole of her current Shine album. But after six songs she handed over to her DJ, who played records while Estelle's band danced to them and the headliner had a 15-minute breather.

When she returned Estelle had changed into another dress, but her ability to stamp her presence on this homecoming show seemed slowly to slip away. When the time came to sing Shine, she did so with the declaration: “I still get PMT.” Was this an assurance that fame hadn't changed her or merely an excuse? Whatever, on the inevitable climax of American Boy Estelle had - like the woman with the foghorn - run out of puff.

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