IN the week that Liverpool completed an historic cup treble, one of their biggest fans completed a hat-trick of her own.

Friday night in Newport Centre was Mel C's third South Wales appearance in under a year - and they keep getting better.

She shouted, jumped and stomped around the stage and the mixed-age audience loved every minute of it.

Mums, dads, sons and daughters filled the seats for a night of rock. Despite a younger seated crowd, a more grown-up group mobbed the front of the stage, screaming for a bit of Mel C's personal attention.

She asked: "I've never been to Newport before - are you going to show me a good time?"

A deafening response made it clear she was very welcome. Most stars leave the stage and return at the slightest call for "one more" song from the crowd.

Mel C made everyone work for that special "one more". It was at least three minutes of desperate pleas before she reappeared for a chorus of "Never Be the Same Again".

The audience left wondering when she will be back in Gwent again. Her Gwent supporters love her music, but they don't support her team. There were a number of Man U shirts in the audience, but I did not spot one Liverpool strip.

Mel C shouted "I love you, Newport" and she meant it. Maybe the next time we will see her in Gwent will be on the terraces of Newport County.