WHAT a difference a year makes that was how Jamie Cullum felt as he returned home to Wiltshire for Christmas.

The internationally renowned jazz singer and pianist, more used to playing grand theatre halls in New York and London, returned to the more humble environs of The Apartment in Swindon yesterday for an intimate and emotional festive gig his last of the year.

And the proceeds of the show some £1,250 will be donated to the BBC Children In Need appeal.

The 300 revellers who were lucky enough to get a ticket (they cost £5 and sold out in 15 minutes) had to pinch themselves as the 24-year-old delivered a stonking virtuoso performance.

After the hour-long set, he told the Advertiser: "It was a natural end to the year to come home and play to a crowd who showed such warmth it was very special.

"It was like all the people who have supported me and are following my career turned up and that was perfect. It's been an amazing year and coming back to the place where it all started just rounded it off nicely.

"Next year I'm more or less touring the world and promoting this record, but I would love to make a new one at some stage."

Jamie, who grew up in Grittleton, North Wiltshire, has become the biggest selling UK jazz artist of all time.

Yesterday he played all the favourites from his platinum-selling album Twenty Something including What A Difference A Day Made, I Get A Kick Out Of You and These Are The Days and a rip-roaring rendition of the Jimi Hendrix classic Wind Cries Mary.

But his crafty blending of Radiohead's High and Dry and Singin' In The Rain was particularly special after the gig finished, following several encores, he received a standing ovation.

This was clearly one of the biggest events to be staged in Swindon for years and a glance at the audience, which ranged from pensioners, mums and dads and twentysomethings, reinforced how much Cullum has done to raise the profile of jazz.

Jamie's dad John said: "We're all incredibly proud of Jamie and pleased he is enjoying himself. I used to tell him music was a stage he was going through and that he'd grow up to do something sensible, but we just laugh about that now."