Eric Clapton performs EPIC cover of Prince's 'Purple Rain' featuring a killer guitar solo

Eric Clapton fans were treated to a STUNNING cover of Prince's 'Purple Rain' during his encore at London's Royal Albert Hall this week.

As the guitar legend launched into the opening bars of the iconic ballad, the crowd shrieked in approval - and his cover did not disappoint!

Clapton has been a longtime fan of Prince, singing his praises on many occasions and even comparing him to the late Jimi Hendrix.

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A few days after Prince's death in April 2016, Clapton said: "I'm so sad about the death of Prince."

"He was a true genius and a huge inspiration for me, in a very real way. In the the '80s, I was out on the road in a massive downward spiral with drink and drugs. I saw Purple Rain in a cinema in Canada, I had no idea who he was, it was like a bolt of lightning! In the middle of my depression and the dreadful state of the music culture at that time, it gave me hope.

"He was like a light in the darkness. I went back to my hotel and, surrounded by empty beer cans, wrote 'Holy Mother.' I can't believe he's gone."