GARY Barlow made a secret visit to Dundee at the weekend to surprise a superfan on her 30th birthday.
The Take That frontman dropped by on Saturday night to attend Jill Campbell’s milestone birthday after she spent months campaigning for a visit from the star.
The teacher from Broughty Ferry had relayed on the day before the event that she still wasn’t sure if she had done enough.
But three campaign videos later, where Jill is shown frolicking around with a Gary cardboard cut out, she finally came face to face with the 45-year-old musician.
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Surrounded by dozens of friends and family, Jill was captured looking completely astonished when Barlow emerged from the party venue’s fire exit.
As cheers erupt, she quickly hugged the pop star before holding her face in awe as he took to the mic and wished her a Happy Birthday.
Within seconds, the former X Factor judge then started singing Take That’s 2008 hit, Greatest Day while Jill stood just metres in front.
Before leaving, Gary took time to take photographs with Jill and her guests while wearing his trademark white shirt and black waistcoat.
Dozens of photographs and messages were later posted to Jill’s Facebook page.
Melissa Bremner wrote: “I am over the moon for you that all your hard work paid off and Gary came to your party. What a great memory you have for your 30.”
Jane Galloway said: “So glad GB turned up tonight Jill. What a 30th to remember. You’re wish came true.”
And Karen Ritchie wrote: “I’m so pleased for you. You totally deserve it.”
The shock appearance comes several months after Jill and her loved ones began tweeting the star, using the hashtag Get Gary to Jill’s 30th, urging him to come to the party.
The persistent Scot created three campaign videos, one in which parodied Back for Good and showed Jill singing around different parts of her hometown.
She also changed the lyrics to relate to Dundee and enlisted the help of her sister to prance around in a Barlow face mask while she performed.
She sings: “Got a picture of you in my bedroom, got your souvenirs from every show you’ve done, oh yeah.
“Went to London two or three times, to Dubai and Aberdeen. Now I think you should come and see me in Dundee.
“Whatever you do, I wanna see you, I really mean it, I just need you here in May.”
The mother of two had already planned to have a Take That themed party for her 30th but said that getting Barlow himself would be the ultimate birthday gift.
Speaking before the event she said: “I’ve been a Take That Fan from day one, attending my first concert when I was eight in Aberdeen with my mum, sister and cousins. From then, my sister and I have been Take That addicts.
“I love him so much because he is the main pianist and vocalist in the band. He’s the main songwriter and I admire his talent.
“Every time I see him I love him more.”
The idea to campaign came after Gary posted a social media video saying he would consider surprising fans during milestone birthdays – having serenaded couples at their wedding in the past.
Last week, he also surprised another superfan, Jo Chapman, at her 40th birthday party in Maidstone, Kent.
