DUA LIPA celebrated an “emotional” return to home soil after kicking off the domestic leg of her three-times-postponed Future Nostalgia world tour on Friday night.

It’s been five years since she graced the stage at Manchester’s AO Arena and in that time she’s graduated from a rising songstress to the UK’s hottest female pop star.

It’s been five years since Dua Lipa graced the stage at Manchester’s AO Arena – but boy was she worth the wait

It’s been five years since Dua Lipa graced the stage at Manchester’s AO Arena – but boy was she worth the waitCredit: Getty
The singer put on a spectacular performance

The singer put on a spectacular performanceCredit: SHIRLAINE FORREST
It seemed fitting that her opening number was Physical, which instantly had the 21,000-strong crowd on their feet

It seemed fitting that her opening number was Physical, which instantly had the 21,000-strong crowd on their feetCredit: SHIRLAINE FORREST
Dua confidently sashayed around the stage, flanked by a squad of energetic dancers

Dua confidently sashayed around the stage, flanked by a squad of energetic dancersCredit: Getty
Dua has clearly found her strut touring the show in the US for the past two months.

She confidently sashayed around the stage, flanked by a squad of energetic dancers.

It seemed fitting that her opening number was Physical, which instantly had the 21,000-strong crowd on their feet — and in the palm of her hand.

She told us: “This is the best welcome home ever. We’ve been waiting so long to put this show on. We moved it and postponed it and finally we’re here.