Showbiz

Kate Ferdinand and husband Rio put on a cosy display as they join unlikely Usher fan Sir Ian McKellen at singer’s star-studded bash to celebrate his sold-out London shows

Kate Ferdinand and husband Rio put on a cosy display as they join unlikely Usher fan Sir Ian McKellen at singer’s star-studded bash to celebrate his sold-out London shows

Kate Ferdinand and husband Rio joined unlikely fellow Usher fan Sir Ian McKellen at a swanky bash to celebrate the singer’s sold-out London shows on Sunday.

The R&B star, 46, who kicked off his 10 night O2 residency 24-hours earlier, hosted the event with Spotify which saw stars descend on The Box Soho.

Kate, 33, cut a chic figure and flashed a glimpse of her toned abs in a cropped lace vest which she teamed with matching black trousers and a jacket.

Meanwhile ex footballer Rio, 46, colour coordinated with his stunning wife and the couple beamed as rubbed shoulders with their fellow VIP guests.

Sir Ian, 85, was also in great spirits and looked stylish in a black velvet blazer which boasted baroque sleeve embellishments. 

Completing the enmseble with a white polkadot shirt and scarf, the Shakespearean supremo and X Men star also sported a bushy beard.

Kate Ferdinand (L) and husband Rio (C) joined fellow Usher fans at a bash to celebrate the singer's sold-out London shows on Sunday (pictured with businesswoman Danielle Forbes, R)

Kate Ferdinand (L) and husband Rio (C) joined fellow Usher fans at a bash to celebrate the singer’s sold-out London shows on Sunday (pictured with businesswoman Danielle Forbes, R)

Among the guest list was unlikely R&B fan Sir Ian McKellen (L) pictured with theatre producer Simon Hammerstein (R)

Among the guest list was unlikely R&B fan Sir Ian McKellen (L) pictured with theatre producer Simon Hammerstein (R) 

The R&B star, 46, who kicked off his 10 night O2 residency 24-hours earlier, hosted the event with Spotify which saw stars descend on The Box Soho

The R&B star, 46, who kicked off his 10 night O2 residency 24-hours earlier, hosted the event with Spotify which saw stars descend on The Box Soho 

After kicking off the highly-anticipated tour all the way back in August, Usher finally took to the stage on Saturday accompanied by dry ice and laser beams, for the first night of his 10 sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena.

The singer will be playing at the stadium for 10 nights, before heading to Paris, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam and Berlin, before arriving back in London to close out his staggering Past Present and Future tour on May 7.

Usher- whose full name is Usher Terry Raymond IV – looked ecstatic to be performing hits like Yeah, Burn, U Remind Me and OMG, in front of the huge crowd of around 200,000 people.

He stepped out in a whopping seven different head-turning outfits, including a glittering head-to-toe suit, a huge fur coat and Union Jack emblazoned leather look.

And he showed he’s still got his incredible falsetto and enviable dancing skills as he showed off his effortlessly slick moves with his backing dancers.

At one point Usher even donned a pair of roller skates to slide around the stage, demonstrating an impeccable moonwalk and handstand.

During the show, he also chatted to guests and took selfies with them on the stage, to which the audience went wild.

Among the crowd were even a few famous faces, including Hollywood star Daniel Kaluuya, model Leomie Anderson and TV presenter Maya Jama.

Sir Ian (L) was in great spirits and looked stylish in a black velvet blazer that boasted baroque embellishments

Sir Ian (L) was in great spirits and looked stylish in a black velvet blazer that boasted baroque embellishments

Usher looked suave in a classic black tuxedo as he raised a glᴀss to celebrate his show's selling out at the iconic O2

Usher looked suave in a classic black tuxedo as he raised a glᴀss to celebrate his show’s selling out at the iconic O2

He later took the mic for an impromptu performance of his biggest hits

He later took the mic for an impromptu performance of his biggest hits  

The singer will be playing at the stadium for 10 nights, before heading to Paris, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam and Berlin , before arriving back in London to close out his staggering tour

The singer will be playing at the stadium for 10 nights, before heading to Paris, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam and Berlin , before arriving back in London to close out his staggering tour 

British rapper Ghetts was dressed to impress in a stylish green co-ord

British rapper Ghetts was dressed to impress in a stylish green co-ord 

R&B group No Guidance posed up a storm

R&B group No Guidance posed up a storm 

TikTok star Cardan Jayy was also on the VIP guest list

TikTok star Cardan Jayy was also on the VIP guest list 

The Love Island host, 30, appeared in high spirits as she was spotted twerking away during the performance in a video posted to her Instagram Stories.

Read More Maya Jama showcases her best dance moves as she twerks in front of stunned crowds during Usher’s sold-out London gig article image

Usher also utilised AI technology to take fans through his life story, with a clip of him in 1993 talking to the crowd, before flashing forward to an older version of himself.

He explained: ‘I didn’t start this because I wanted to be the world’s greatest writer or the artist who sold the most albums.“

‘The show is the one thing that matters more than anything, because you can have a hit record, but can you put on a show? Will you shock people? Will you give them something to remember? This will be remembered.’

Usher also treated some female fans to more up close and personal meeting, as he  seductively hand-fed them cocktail cherries.

While a part of the stage was transformed into a strip club for Bad Girl, complete with pole dancers and the chart-topper making it rain with his own branded ‘USH Notes’ bills.

After kicking off the highly-anticipated tour all the way back in August, Usher finally took to the stage on Saturday accompanied by dry ice and laser beams

After kicking off the highly-anticipated tour all the way back in August, Usher finally took to the stage on Saturday accompanied by dry ice and laser beams

The singer - whose full name is Usher Terry Raymond IV - looked ecstatic to be performing hits like Yeah, Burn, U Remind Me and OMG, in front of the huge crowd of around 200,000 people

The singer – whose full name is Usher Terry Raymond IV – looked ecstatic to be performing hits like Yeah, Burn, U Remind Me and OMG, in front of the huge crowd of around 200,000 people

On his arrival, before he launched into his 36 song set list, traversing his three decades in the industry, he addressed his doting fans: ‘Tonight is very very special because we celebrate 30 plus years of a career.

‘Some of you started when I first started. Some of you have joined along the years. I just want to say thank you. This Past, Present and Future story is unique. 

‘I have been here long enough to recognise there’s so many things that I have been able to go through and come through and there’s still the songs.’

‘Hopefully that testament has meant something to you. Maybe we fell in love together, maybe we had a good time together, but something brought you here. 

‘And I just want you to know, I appreciate the connection. If I didn’t have you to cheer me on, I wouldn’t continue to do this.

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