CRAIG'S coming home!

Southampton's number one soul sensation, Craig David, has announced he is to play a FREE concert near his home city - as a thank you to his friends and fans.

The 22-year-old R & B singer-songwriter, who was brought up on the city's Holyrood estate, will play the exclusive free date at the Rose Bowl - the Hampshire Cricket ground in West End - on Monday, October 6.

Speaking to the Echo, chart-topping Craig said: "I'm really looking forward to this show. Southampton is still where my family and most of my close friends live.

"My life has been so busy over the last couple of years that I haven't been able to get back as much as I would have liked, so for me it's a great opportunity to give a little to the city that gave me so much."

The concert will feature just Craig and his long-time guitarist and friend Fraser T Smith and will take place in a function room at the Rose Bowl, rather than the main arena.

Tickets are limited to 500 and will be available from HMV and Virgin record stores, as well as through the Daily Echo, nearer the date.

Welcoming the news, Rose Bowl chairman Rod Bransgrove said: "I'm thrilled to bits that Craig David has chosen the Rose Bowl for his concert.

"It's firmly established us as one of the most prestigious venues in the south and as a host to major performing artists."

The announcement will come as a relief to fans who feared that Craig might never play Southampton again.

Currently on a UK tour, which started last night in Wolverhampton, Craig is due to play Bournemouth International Centre on October 5.

Craig has only played one home gig since he shot to fame four years ago, at Southampton Guildhall in November 2000.

Keep reading the Echo to find out when and how you can get hold of tickets to the free concert.

Craig releases his latest single, World Filled With Love, on October 13.

Fans can read an interview with Craig, complete with exclusive new pictures, in the Daily Echo's Weekend Magazine on Saturday, October 4.

Craig has reportedly bought himself a £2.3m penthouse flat in London.

The four bedroom flat is in a converted stately home in Hampstead, built by a Quaker banking family in the 17th century.

Until now, Craig has been living in hotels.