Lifting people’s spirits during the dark days of lockdowns was no mean feat.

Many will remember being corralled into the family ‘online pub quiz’ by third cousin Terry - whether they liked it or not.

But thankfully the professionals were also on hand to help us all get through the isolation, loneliness and boredom. Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s kitchen discos were one such tonic for a weary nation. For anyone not familiar, they were exactly what they sound like.

Sophie Ellis Bextor had a disco – in her kitchen – complete with disco ball and where she sang songs and was lovingly interrupted on occasion by her kids. Everything was streamed online and the events became instantly popular, so much so that when things got back to normal, the demand was there for the songstress to take her act out on the road.

She recently headed to Liverpool’s iconic Philharmonic Hall – where the stage had been transformed to resemble her kitchen backdrop - as part of a national tour which featured hits from throughout her career. This included some of the classics she covered during lockdown, festive treats, and tracks inspired by a ‘wheel of fortune’ on stage, where she’d spin the wheel and belt out whatever tunes fate deemed appropriate.

Joined by hubby Richard Jones of The Feeling fame on bass and her brother on drums, this true family affair opened with her sat atop Bianca – a large plastic horse - singing The Ronettes’ classic Christmas ditty Sleigh Ride.

Other festive tracks included Shakin’ Stevens Merry Christmas Everyone and Marriah Carey’s All I want for Christmas is you.

There were covers of songs like Crying at the Discotheque, and her own favourites like Groovejet If This Ain’t Love and Murder on the Dancefloor.

One thing the concert also brought in abundance was fun. Self-deprecation, costume changes, Santa hats, jokes, trivia about the city and the venue. She was also ably supported by the quirky and talented warm-up performer Holiday Sidewinder, who strummed a rendition of The Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun early doors, having only learned it that evening. She also apologised to the audience that she was unable to bust a move the way she usually would, because she was wearing a pair of heavy wedges she’d bought that day while out shopping in Liverpool.

By the end of the night the audience, some of whom had looked like they didn’t quite know what to expect at the start of the night, were eating out of her hand and literally dancing in the aisles having had a spectacularly fun night out. And more than anything, that’s what it was all about.