A PRINCE mega-fan saw the music legend perform twice in one week as Prince-mania swept the country.

Paul Holt, aged 26, from Breightmet, forked out £700 to see his idol in London and then managed to buy two £70 tickets for the gig at Manchester Academy on Friday, with girlfriend Christina Shipley.

Mr Holt, who has a business custom-building guitars, said: “The show on Friday was amazing, I managed to get near the front of the stage and he played for more than two-and-a half-hours and did four encores.

“I didn't think it would ever happen in a venue that size, 2,500 capacity, with a music icon like Prince.

“It's not the same when you're at an arena tour looking at a big screen.

“Prince played many instruments at the gig — guitar, bass and piano and played a mix of his hits such as Purple Rain, When Doves Cry and Raspberry Beret, as well as classic album tracks and B-sides such as She's Always In My Hair, Endorphinmachine, Musicology and Bambi.

“He also introduced us to his new band, 3rdeyegirl, letting them take solos and playing new tracks that he has recorded with them such as Screwdriver, Plectrum Electrum and FixUrLifeUp.”

Prince sent fans into a frenzy when he arrived on British soil for a handful of gigs, starting in London the week before, with tickets selling out in minutes.

Musician Mr Holt, who spent almost £1,000 on travel, hotels and tickets, said: “I went down to London for five days on the off chance to watch one of the secret shows.

“It was really buzzing when I was down there.

“I managed to see him at Kings Place, it was a special acoustic set. It was only 300 people, it was sort of like a lecture hall.

“It was really intimate.”

Mr Holt had previously seen Prince during his last visit to the UK, at London’s O2 Arena in 2007.